Ranchi: Traffic police continued an ongoing drive against the use of black film on car windows on Friday evening and among the first people to be hauled up and fined were a former Congress minister and a BJP functionary.

Newly appointed Ranchi traffic DSP Ranjeet Lakra, who is leading the drive, said they spotted former cabinet minister and Congress leader Yogendra Sao at Birsa Munda airport and asked his driver to remove the black film from the windows of the SUV.

"Besides black film, we also removed two additional lights fixed on the front of the SUV. The pollution control certificate had also expired. We imposed a fine of Rs 4,500 after which we released the SUV," said Lakra.

Senior BJP functionary Surya Prakash was fined Rs1,000 for using black film on the windows of his SUV.

Prakash said he started using black film after June 10 when his car was attacked by a mob during a riot like situation in Ranchi. "I use black film for security reasons. I am a political worker and I was attacked. I don's carry any weapons for my protection," he said.

Sources in the traffic police said instructions had been given to the force to not spare anyone, however high-profile he or she was, if they were found using film on the windows of their vehicles. At least six politicians had apparently been fined on Saturday till the time of filing this report.

Ranchi traffic SP Sanjay Ranjan Singh said over the last four days black film was removed from as many as 300 four-wheelers.

"The rule regarding tinted glass is clear and there is a Supreme Court order against its use. Those who own cars should be aware of the rule," the SP said, clarifying that as per the apex court order, manufacturers were allowed to have tinted glass in vehicles provided the front and rear windshield allowed 70 per cent light transmission and the windows 50 per cent.

No additional film could be pasted on the windows, Lakra said, adding that black film was often used by criminals to hide their identity while travelling.