The Chhattisgarh High Court has expressed strong disapproval of the state administration's handling of repeated incidents of road hooliganism and blatant traffic rule violations, often involving influential and wealthy individuals. The court's stern remarks came during a hearing this week, where it highlighted the administration's "helpless and ineffective" approach.
Court Takes Suo Motu Notice of Reckless Incidents
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation based on two recent incidents reported in newspapers. The bench pointedly noted that such acts of hooliganism and unauthorized celebrations on roads and National Highways are frequently perpetrated by affluent people who openly disregard the law.
The first case involved a viral incident in Bilaspur's River View area. A video showed a young man performing dangerous stunts, sitting on the bonnet and roof of a moving car. In the video, the man arrogantly claimed he had influence in the area and was untouchable. Following the court's scrutiny, the police have launched a manhunt to apprehend him.
Government Officer Celebrates Birthday on Highway
The second incident that drew the court's ire involved a government official. Dr. Anit Bakhla, the Block Medical Officer (BMO) of Sonhat in Koria district, celebrated his birthday on National Highway No. 43 in Baikunthpur. The celebration included cutting a cake and lighting firecrackers directly on the highway, causing inconvenience and potential danger to other road users.
The High Court observed that despite being a state officer, Dr. Bakhla showed no concern for the public inconvenience caused by his actions. The court also criticized the state for taking a lenient view and failing to immediately seize the vehicle involved in this incident.
State's Claims Versus Ground Reality
The court noted that despite earlier affidavits from the Chief Secretary claiming that instructions and guidelines were issued to curb such incidents, frequent violations prove these measures remain only on paper. The lack of meaningful action at the ground level was a key point of contention.
Representing the state, Deputy Advocate General Shashank Thakur provided updates. He stated that fourteen cases of a similar nature have been reported so far, and vehicles were seized in all those instances. In the Bilaspur case, an FIR was registered and the vehicle was seized. Regarding the Baikunthpur case, an FIR was registered against Dr. Bakhla and another person under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Thakur informed the court that the vehicle in the BMO's case had not been seized yet as the officer was out of station. However, the concerned Station House Officer has summoned him, and the vehicle will be seized soon.
The High Court has issued clear instructions for the state to take stringent and immediate action against all such violators, regardless of their social status or official position. It issued a warning that if the state machinery continues to show helplessness or laxity, the court will be forced to issue strictures and pass appropriate directions to ensure meaningful compliance and public safety on roads.
