The governments of various states and Union territories were warned today by the Supreme Court to ensure high security registration plates (HSRP) for all vehicles.
The governments of various states and Union territories were warned today by the Supreme Court to either ensure high security registration plates (HSRP) for all vehicles by June 15, this year or face contempt of court proceedings.
A three-judge bench of Chief Justice S H Kapadia and justices A K Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar also issued contempt of court notices to Andhra Pradesh Principal Secretary (Transport) D Lakshmi Parthasarathy and Transport Commissioner Hiralal Samaria for their repeated failure in filing proper affidavits on the issue of implementation of apex court order on HSRP.
"Installation of HSRP is a statutory command which is not only in the interest of the security of state, but also serves a much larger public interest. Therefore, it is not only desirable, but mandatory, for every state to comply with the statutory provisions/orders of this court in terms of Article 129 of the Constitution of India, 1950.
"All states, therefore, are mandated to fully implement the scheme of fixation of HSRP in their entire state, positively by 30th April, 2012, in relation to new vehicles and by 15th June, 2012 for old vehicles.
"We make it clear that they shall not be allowed any further extension of time for implementation of this direction," said Justice Kumar, who wrote the judgement.
The apex court said failure to comply with its direction will lead to contempt proceedings against "the Secretary (Transport)/Commissioner, State Transport Authority and/or any other person or authority concerned persons under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971."
The court passed the order on a PIL filed by Chairman of All-India Anti-Terrorist Front M S Bitta, seeking its direction to introduce tamper-proof number plates and licences for vehicles, contending that the present system is prone to misuse by anti-social elements.
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