Srinagar: A court in Srinagar ruled out that the Kashmir’s Traffic police must halt issuing E-challans (electronic, Internet based, computer-generated challan) till the technical glitches faced by the system are resolved after a plea was heard where an E-challan was given without the required procedural formalities and went against the accordance of law.
The seizure of vehicles by E-challan without following the required procedural formalities renders citizen remediless, Special Mobile Magistrate (Traffic) Srinagar observed.
The court was hearing a plea of an applicant, who vehicle was given challan by the Traffic police Srinagar through e-Challan. However, the court ruled out that the seizure of the vehicle, fine of rupees 6000 wasn’t executed with required procedural formalities and goes against the accordance of the law.
In an order, the court directed IGP Kashmir (Traffic) and SSP Traffic Srinagar to ensure halting of E-challans till the time technical glitches are properly resolved.
A challan is an official paper that is issued to the motor vehicle driver who violates the traffic rules and regulations.
“Undisputed position is that seizure of vehicle in question by E-challan has been issued without following the required procedural formalities. Non-compliance of required procedural formalities has not only rendered the applicant remediless but had also denied him the right of a fair trial. The seizure of vehicle as well the fine of Rs. 6000/ imposed upon the applicant is not in accordance with the law,” the court said.
It said accordingly, SSP traffic is hereby directed that amount of fine so recovered from the applicant be returned to the applicant.
“SSP traffic is also directed to ensure the removal technical glitches faced by the system so that public at large does not suffer,”
It also said it has been brought to the notice of this Court that number of other vehicles have been seized by the traffic officials in the same manner through E-challans without ensuring the delivery of corresponding copy of E-challan to this Court.
“All those vehicles which have been seized in gross violation of standard operating procedure of providing copy of E-challan to this Court be released without realizing fine from them,” the court said.
(KNO)