HC raps traffic police for ‘sheer callousness’

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 19

Rapping the Chandigarh Traffic Police for “sheer callousness”, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today made it clear that the Bench would issue a contempt notice for repeated non-compliance of its directions on removal of vehicles parked on pedestrian pathways. The Bench also directed the UT Deputy Commissioner and the Municipal Commissioner to remain present in the court on the next ate of hearing.

Justice Amol Rattan Singh asked the Deputy Commissioner to be present for assisting the Bench and to solve the parking problem. The direction came after the Bench observed that the parking policy was said to be pending with the Deputy Commissioner for a year.

The Municipal Commissioner was asked to explain why parking in excess of the capacity was being permitted. The Bench observed that the contractor’s employees were apparently getting cars parked on pedestrian pathways obviously to ensure money for entry.

The Bench also asked the commissioner to furnish an affidavit regarding utilisation of underground parking. “The court’s impression is that the underground parking facility is not been utilised deliberately to help the contractor,” Justice Amol Rattan Singh asserted.

The Bench also asked the SSP (Traffic) to place on record his own affidavit on the action taken by the traffic police to ensure that vehicles were removed not just from main roads but also pedestrian paths. He was also asked to back up his affidavit with photographic evidence. The patrol cars were also asked to generate awareness against parking on pedestrian pathways in inner roads.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, Justice Amol Rattan Singh asserted that not even a semblance of adequate action being taken was visible, despite directions to the SSP (Traffic and Security) that vehicles parked on pedestrian pathways should be towed away or clamped down or proceeded against by way of registration of a criminal case under Section 336 (an act endangering the life or personal safety of others) of the IPC.

Justice Amol Rattan Singh added that Section 336 was attracted because vehicles parked on the pedestrian pathways were forcing pedestrians to walk on roads. Referring to the situation in Sector 19, Justice Amol Rattan Singh added that non-compliance of repeated court directions was clearly visible.

“The same cars are being parked in the very area where I lived. But the orders have not been complied with. You are least bothered… They (the traffic police) think that this is fun going on. It is going on right under my nose. I can well imagine what is happening in other places,” Justice Amol Rattan Singh added.

Responding to the contention of the UT counsel RS Rai that the Chandigarh police performance was much better than that of Punjab and Haryana, Justice Amol Rattan Singh added: “Let the capital of the state lead by way of an example. We will go to Mohali, Panchkula and other places subsequently if the case stays with me.”

Justice Amol Rattan Singh added that he could not ignore the visible. A large number of vehicles, specialty government vehicles, were not being clamped down and the court could not close its eyes to the reality seen daily. 

The Bench also made it clear that it was open for any citizen to bring violations to the court notice, but the complaints were required to be backed with photographic evidence.