Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday directed traffic police not to force vehicle owners to pay pending challans. It stated that any such coercive action violates legal and constitutional protections. This decision was widely reported as an example of HC bars coercion over challan in the state.
The bench issued the ruling while hearing petitions concerning pending traffic challans across the state. Advocate Vijay Gopal presented arguments challenging the alleged harassment of vehicle owners during routine checks. This issue is central to the HC bars coercion over challan case.
Court says no seizing keys, no forced payments
The High Court observed that traffic personnel cannot stop vehicles and seize keys or pressure drivers into clearing dues on the spot. It clarified that while challans may be collected if drivers voluntarily choose to pay when stopped, there should be no force, intimidation, or undue inconvenience. This aligns with HC bars coercion over challan as outlined in the court’s directions.
The court emphasized that enforcement must stay within legal boundaries and must not compromise individual rights. It instructed the traffic police not to harass citizens under the pretext of pending challans.
The judgment comes in the backdrop of recent comments by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy about enhancing automated traffic enforcement. Moreover, observers noted that the HC bars coercion over challan even in the context of new technological measures. This reaffirms the need for fairness in enforcement.