Punjab and Haryana High Court Demands Fresh Compliance Report on Seized Vehicle Disposal
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to submit a fresh compliance report regarding the disposal of seized vehicles that continue to accumulate in police stations across the state. This directive comes after the court noted limited progress in addressing the issue, despite previous orders aimed at resolving the backlog.
Alarming Statistics Reveal Minimal Progress
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel was presented with concerning data during recent proceedings. According to the report submitted by the Registrar General of the High Court:
- 35,323 vehicles were identified as requiring disposal across various districts in Punjab
- Only 5,667 vehicles were actually disposed of between May 13, 2025, and July 31, 2025
- Merely 1,632 applications for vehicle disposal were filed during this period
- 23,733 vehicles remain parked in police stations awaiting proper disposal procedures
The court expressed concern that despite earlier directions, thousands of vehicles continue to occupy valuable space in police stations, potentially leading to congestion and deterioration of seized property.
Legal Framework and Implementation Challenges
The matter originated from a public interest litigation filed by Kanwar Pahul Singh, which prompted the High Court to monitor the disposal of seized vehicles in accordance with established legal precedents. The court had previously directed Punjab Police to follow:
- Supreme Court rulings in Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai versus State of Gujarat and General Insurance Council versus State of Andhra Pradesh
- The Motor Vehicles Registration and Functions of Vehicle Scrapping Facility Rules, 2021
- Relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023
According to the report, the Special Director General of Police, Traffic and Road Safety, Punjab, claimed compliance through several measures:
- Circulation of a standing order dated December 14, 2021, detailing vehicle disposal procedures
- Distribution of a booklet titled 'Procedure for Disposal of Vehicles' outlining 16 specific steps
- Convening of a state-level review meeting to discuss practical implementation issues
Paperwork Versus Ground Reality
Despite these administrative measures, the petitioner raised significant concerns about actual implementation. Comments submitted alleged that only paperwork had been completed without substantial progress on the ground. The petitioner specifically contended that station house officers should have received explicit directives to follow statutory procedures under the BNSS for vehicle disposal.
The Registrar General's report acknowledged this disconnect, noting that while procedural documents had been circulated, overall compliance could not be considered complete in letter and spirit. The vast majority of identified vehicles remain in police custody, indicating a significant gap between policy and practice.
Judicial Monitoring and Future Proceedings
The High Court has been actively monitoring this matter to ensure timely and lawful disposal of seized vehicles. During the recent hearing, the state government requested additional time to file a comprehensive compliance report. Consequently, the court has adjourned the matter to March 10, 2026, when the fresh report will be reviewed.
This ongoing judicial oversight highlights the court's commitment to addressing systemic issues in property management within law enforcement agencies. The accumulation of over 23,000 vehicles represents not only an administrative challenge but also raises questions about efficient utilization of police resources and proper maintenance of seized assets.
