In Brief
This case concerns whether motor vehicles can be structurally altered beyond manufacturer specifications. The Court held that Section 52(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (as amended) prohibits alterations that create variance between the certificate of registration particulars and the manufacturer's original specifications. While modifications for alternative fuels are permitted, and the Central Government may grant exemptions for specific purposes, structural changes like extending chassis length or body dimensions violate this prohibition. The Court emphasized that Kerala state rules cannot override the Act's restrictions and that public safety takes precedence over individual convenience. Only alterations that do not change a vehicle's basic features fall outside the definition of impermissible alteration.
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