Indore Truck Rampage | MP High Court Summons Police Commissioner; Notes Sufficient Measures Were Not Implemented Despite Orders

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday (October 10) directed the Indore Police Commissioner to appear via video conferencing on November 19, after noting that despite orders, there have been repeated incidents of drunk driving and police inaction in Indore. 

These observations were made in a suo-motu plea initiated after a truck entered a residential area of Indore during peak traffic hours and caused accidents leading to the death of three people and injuring 35, with 12 of grievous injuries.

In the last hearing, the Court, keeping in view the Supreme Court's directions, had directed the State Government to file an affidavit listing what measures are being taken to comply with the apex court's order.

For context, the Supreme Court had issued a slew of directions aimed at strengthening road safety measures across the country, including strict enforcement of helmet use, and measures to curb wrong-lane driving, unsafe overtaking, use of dazzling LED lights, and the unauthorised sale and misuse of red–blue strobe lights and hooters.

However, the Amicus Curiae submitted a status report highlighting recent tragic incidents— including one where an intoxicated driver killed two students and another where three police personnel, reportedly, under the influence of alcohol, were involved in the deaths of four to five individuals. 

The division bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf thus directed,

"Status report has been submitted by Amicus Curiae, which shows that despite orders passed by this court, sufficient action was not taken by the Police Authorities to prevent similar incidents from happening. Accordingly, we deemed it expedient to direct the Police Commissioner of Indore to be once again present through video conferencing on November 19 at 3:30 pm". 

During the proceedings, IPS officer Anand Kaladagi appeared via video conferencing. However, the court clarified that it wanted to interact directly with the Police Commissioner regarding the lack of preventive measures. 

The Amicus Curiae also proposed certain remedial measures, including stricter monitoring of vehicle entry at 'no entry' points through reflective signage and community-enabled CCTV systems at 19 identified locations across the city. 

Taking the suggestions on record, the division bench directed; 

"The Commissioner of police, in the meantime, shall consider the suggestion given by the Amicus Curiae and submit his response on the next date of hearing". 

Case Title: In Reference Suo Motu PIL v The State of Madhya Pradesh (WP no 37620 of 2025)