More than 40 million traffic challans are pending in Delhi courts, with 15,000 to 20,000 more added every day – generated manually and through violation detection cameras. This is not only increasing the pendency but also adding to the workload of the already overburdened city courts.
The amended traffic challan rules, however, have received mixed reactions. Delhi police officers are of the view that the move is aimed at reducing the massive traffic challan pendency and easing the burden on courts so they can focus on other important cases While the changes have triggered resentment among Delhi lawyers. “Firstly, traffic violation is a criminal offence handled by a judicial magistrate. How can government-appointed officials (executives) address traffic challan-related grievances that are considered criminal trials? A senior Delhi Traffic police officer, who asked not to be identified, supported the amended rules, saying the growing pendency has been defeating the very objective of enforcement against traffic violators and fails to act as a strong deterrent.
In January, the central government notified amendments to Rule 167 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, stating that a motorist can either pay the challan or contest it through the prescribed portal before the state government’s specified authority within 45 days, and approach a court with rejected grievances only after depositing 50% of the challan amount. Secondly, by imposing the 45 days timeline for contesting challans and the mandatory deposit of 50% challan amount before approaching a court, the authorities are harassing the public and abolishing trail options,” said Neeraj.
Advocate Neeraj, chairman of the coordination committee of all district courts bar associations of Delhi, said those who believe the new rules would hit the livelihood of lawyers were mistaken, as the amendments are not “anti-lawyers” but “anti-people”. Experts, however, said reducing court pendency should not come at the cost of public convenience, which should be the primary objective of any government.
