- Punjab HC fines senior officials ₹2 lakh
- Modified vehicle safety orders violated
- Road safety compliance enforcement
- DGP salary deductions ordered
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has taken decisive action against senior Punjab officials, imposing a ₹2 lakh penalty after repeated disobedience of orders intended to curb dangerously modified vehicles on public roads. This landmark order sends a strong message about legal accountability and road safety compliance, marking a significant chapter in the battle against unauthorized vehicle alterations.
Court Ruling and Key Individuals
Justice Sudeepti Sharma levied equal fines of ₹50,000 to be deducted from the salaries of four top officers—Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, IAS officers Pardeep Kumar (Secretary, Department of Transport), Moneesh Kumar (State Transport Commissioner), and Jitendra Jorwal (Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur). The penalty will be credited to the Punjab Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. According to media reports, these officers were held in contempt for deliberately ignoring directives issued since September 2023 regarding illegal modifications under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Enforcement Failures and Judicial Observations
During hearings on a contempt petition filed by Shaheed Bhagat Singh Mini Transport Welfare Association, the court found that the officials continuously failed to provide comprehensive compliance reports, even after multiple opportunities and extensions. Applications from the officers attempting to reverse previous cost orders were dismissed as lacking merit, and their conduct was described as evasive and negligent, with contradictory records submitted by police and transport authorities.
Background: Fight Against Modified Vehicles
The court’s strict stance arises from public concern about the proliferation of modified commercial vehicles in Punjab. These vehicles often violate safety norms through unauthorized changes, such as altered structures, loud sound systems, and illegal lighting. As per several media sources, the High Court’s order is a response to persistent failures in enforcing the Motor Vehicles Act among transporters and officials.
Implications and Next Steps
The ruling adds to an earlier ₹1 lakh penalty imposed on the same officials for similar non-compliance, drawing attention to ongoing administrative challenges in upholding judicial orders. On November 27, officials are expected to file further affidavits demonstrating real progress as the court maintains heightened scrutiny of regulatory enforcement.
By directly penalizing top-level officials, the High Court has raised the stakes for those responsible for public safety compliance in Punjab, underlining the judiciary’s zero-tolerance policy for administrative negligence.
Public discourse may now expect greater transparency in road safety enforcement, reforms in official responses to court orders, and a possible reduction in illegally modified vehicles on Punjab roads in the coming months.
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