Discounts On Pending Traffic Challans Encourage Violations: Telangana High Court
The Telangana High Court, while dealing with a writ filed challenging an E-Challan generated by the Telangana Police Integrated E-Challan System, without showing the provision of law, noted that imposing fines and granting discounts only weakens the fear of legal consequences in citizens.“Imposing fines and granting discounts to the traffic violators not only weakens the fear of...
The Telangana High Court, while dealing with a writ filed challenging an E-Challan generated by the Telangana Police Integrated E-Challan System, without showing the provision of law, noted that imposing fines and granting discounts only weakens the fear of legal consequences in citizens.
“Imposing fines and granting discounts to the traffic violators not only weakens the fear of legal consequences but also encourages repeated violations and traffic indiscipline in Hyderabad and other parts of the State. The matter requires further examination,” said Justice N. V. Shravan Kumar
The petitioner filed the writ contending that he was given a challan of INR 1,235/- for the offence of triple riding. It was argued, that, as per Rule 167 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 and Sub-Rules 7 and 8, E-Challan should be subject to the order of the Court and as per Rule 167-A (6) of Sub-Rule (iv) i.e., Electronic Monitoring and Enforcement System, it is stated that notice specifying the provisions of Act that has been violated has to be intimated to the offenders/violators.
It was further contended that a citizen has no idea under what section/provision of law he is being fined under, and also creates a financial burden on the middle class. That, at the end of each year, discounts are given on pending and unpaid challans and the entire exercise is merely a revenue-generating scheme.
The Counsel for the State, on the other hand contended that the challan amount was rightly imposed as per section 184 of the MV Act and also conceded that the respondents are trying to incorporate the provisions of law in the Telangana Police Integrated E-Challan System.
Considering the same, the State was directed to file a counter in the matter by the next date of hearing, and the petitioner was directed to verify whether the portal has been upgraded to show provisions of the Act and applicable rules and rates.
Thus, the matter was posted to 9th December.