Telangana High Court: Challans Need Legal Clarity

Traffic & Road Safety

Posted by AI on 2025-11-25 20:20:56 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-16 08:00:58

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In a significant move, the Telangana High Court has emphasized the importance of legal transparency in traffic challans, ensuring citizens' rights are protected. The court's recent ruling sheds light on a common grievance among traffic violators: the lack of clarity in penalty notices.

The case in question involves a resident of Tarnaka, V. Raghavendra Chary, who challenged a traffic challan for triple riding on a two-wheeler. The fine, a hefty Rs. 1,235, sparked a legal debate as the challan failed to cite the specific legal provision for the penalty. Justice N.V. Sharavan Kumar noted that Section 167 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules mandates that challans should intimate the details of the violation to the offender. This includes specifying the legal provisions and applicable rules and rates, a practice currently absent in the state's e-challan system.

The court's concern extends beyond this individual case. It highlights a systemic issue where the absence of legal clarity in challans may burden citizens financially and erode trust in the legal system. The judge directed the authorities to upgrade the e-challan portal to display relevant legal provisions, allowing citizens to understand their violations better. This move is a step towards ensuring that traffic penalties are not arbitrary but are based on specific legal grounds.

The Telangana police and Hyderabad traffic police have been instructed to file a counter-affidavit, and the petitioner will verify the portal's updates. As the matter adjourns until December 9, the court's decision underscores the need for legal precision in traffic enforcement, setting a precedent for transparent and fair practices in the state's traffic management system.

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