Telangana High Court Questions Legality of Arbitrary Traffic Fines

Court Finds E-Challans Issued Without Legal Basis, Orders Further Examination

In a recent ruling, the Telangana High Court has raised concerns about the arbitrariness of traffic fines imposed by the Telangana Police Integrated E-Challan System. The judgment, delivered by Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar, addresses the issuance of traffic violation challans without specifying the provisions of law, deeming such practices contrary to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.

The case, filed by petitioner V. Raghavendra Chary against the State of Telangana, challenges a traffic challan for triple riding on a two-wheeler. The challan imposed a fine of Rs. 1,200 and additional user charges, totaling Rs. 1,235, without citing the specific legal provision violated. The court found this approach to be arbitrary and illegal, emphasizing the necessity for transparency in specifying the provisions of law violated to avoid confusion.

The petitioner’s counsel, Vijay Gopal, argued that the fines imposed exceed the prescribed amounts under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, specifically highlighting that the penalty for the cited violation should range between Rs. 100 to Rs. 300, not Rs. 1,200. The counsel further contended that the imposition of such fines without explanation places an undue financial burden on citizens, particularly the middle class.

In response, the Government Pleader for Home referenced G.O.Ms.No.54 and G.O.Ms.No.108, which prescribe a fine amount of Rs. 1,000 for dangerous driving under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. However, the court noted that even this does not justify the arbitrary fine amount imposed in the present case.

The court further criticized the practice of offering discounts on pending and unpaid challans, stating that it undermines the fear of legal consequences and encourages repeated violations. The judgment underscored the need for a detailed examination of the matter to ensure that traffic rules are enforced transparently and effectively.

The court has ordered the respondents to file a counter affidavit by the next hearing date and suggested that the Telangana Police Integrated E-Challan System be upgraded to include specific legal provisions for each violation. The case is scheduled for further hearing on December 9, 2025.

This ruling highlights the importance of legal clarity and transparency in the enforcement of traffic regulations, setting a precedent for future cases involving traffic violation challans.

Bottom Line:

Traffic challan issued without specifying provision of law and imposing fines arbitrarily is contrary to Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.

Statutory provision(s): Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 Sections 128, 177, 184, 200; Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 Rule 167-A

V Raghavendra Chary v. State of Telangana, (Telangana) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2812916