The Supreme Court recently forwarded to its E-Committee a plea seeking modifications to the V-Courts portal managed by the Committee, so that citizens do not have to enter a plea of guilt when compounding traffic offenses.

A bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana passed the order, after hearing Senior Advocate Maninder Singh (for petitioner-Prabhjot Singh Dhillon). The order recorded that the issue raised was of paramount importance for better functioning of the V-Courts portal.

The petition was filed by Dhillon, through AoR Prabhas Bajaj, seeking a direction to the Supreme Court E-Committee to update the V-Courts portal (managed by the E-Committee) to include a clear and independent option for compounding offenses that do not require the user to enter a plea of guilt. It alleged that the portal had dark patterns and a confusing interface, which incorrectly equated fine payment with a plea of guilt, resulting in convictions for compoundable offenses.

The petitioner argued that the V-Courts portal was operating in a manner which obstructed its purpose - that is - speedy disposal of traffic challans in a citizen-friendly manner. It was urged that the system was resulting in violation of fundamental rights of citizens by compelling them to enter a plea of "guilty" while compounding traffic offenses, without their knowledge, understanding or informed consent.

The petitioner stressed that while compounding certain offenses on the V-courts website, citizens were unwittingly entering a plea of guilt, which was leading to their conviction without knowing the consequences.

The petition also referred to the Delhi High Court's decision in Benetton India Pvt. Ltd. v. State of NCT of Delhi, where the Supreme Court E-Committee was requested to incorporate certain changes in the V-Courts portal, including enabling of an option to compound the offenses by paying a fine (to eliminate the need to wait for Lok Adalat) and ensuring that such payments did not constitute a record of conviction. Pointing to this order, the petitioner sought a direction for the E-Committee to act upon the High Court's recommendations in Benetton case.

The petition also sought a mandate that the ACP or any other authorized officer remain physically present at police stations during set days/times to redress traffic grievances. Another prayer was for a direction to the Delhi traffic Police to establish a reliable and verifiable system to ensure that vehicle owners get notified about alleged offenses within a 15-day provided (as required by law).

Case : PRABHJOT SINGH DHILLON Versus E -COMMITEE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA AND ANR. Diary No. 31698-2026