Plea In Kerala High Court Challenges Mandate Of GPS/ Tracking Devices In Heavy Vehicles

The partners of A2Z Motor Driving School have approached the Kerala High Court challenging Rule 151A of the Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules (KMV Rules), 1989 which mandates certain categories of vehicles with the exception of two-wheelers, e-rickshaws, three-wheelers, vehicles that do not require permit under under the Act, to be equipped with vehicle location tracking device (VLTD) and emergency buttons.The petitioners have approached the High Court stating that their vehicles are being used solely for the purpose of imparting training. They had a fleet of over 100 vehicles, including heavy goods vehicles fitted with dual-control mechanism for training. It is contended that it is unreasonable and excessive to impose the mandate of VLTD/GPS on the petitioner's vehicles.According to the petition, the aforesaid rule was invoked by the state government encroaching upon the rule-making powers of the central government. It is also stated that the impugned Rule is in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. The petition also notes that though the Central Rules mandate VLTD/GPS trackers only in public service vehicles vide Rule 151H, the KMV Rules make it mandatory on goods carriage vehicles as well, making the latter contrary to the Central Rules.Thus, the petitioners prayed for declaration that Rule 151A of KMV Rules is non-est and a direction to Respondents 3 and 4 not to insist on GPS/VLTD for the petitioners' vehicles used solely for the purpose of training.When the case came up for admission on Monday (July 28) before Justice Mohammed Nias C.P., the judge ordered notice in the case. The DSGI took notice for the 1st respondent, Union of India and the Government Pleader took notice for respondents 2 to 5.The case is posted on August 27 to receive the statements of the respondents.The petition is moved by Advocates Deepu Thankan, Ummul Fida, Lakshmi Sreedhar, Cindia S., Pooja Chandran and Gayathri G.Case No: WP(C) No. 27611 of 2025Case Title: T.K. Radhamani and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors.

Plea In Kerala High Court Challenges Mandate Of GPS/ Tracking Devices In Heavy Vehicles

K. Salma Jennath

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