Saying that the scheme was meant for the safety of the citizens, a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia directed the senior officials of the three states to be present in the Court on the next date and explain as to why no contempt proceedings should be taken against them.
“In the present days, safety of the citizens is of paramount concern for the state and all its authorities. The directions issued by this Court for implementation of HSRP scheme sought to achieve such interest as well as it would be a step forward even in the field of investigation in case a vehicle is used in commitment of an offence or a crime,” the Court said.
It noted that there were three categories of states and union territories — first those which have implemented the scheme Sikkim, Meghalaya and Goa, second those which initiated the process but could not complete it and third which did not take any step in this regard.
Karnataka fell in the second category as it informed the apex Court that an agreement for implementation of the scheme was signed with the vendor in 2006. The price notification and implementation date has been pending since last 4 years. Since the state govt cancelled the agreement, it was challenged before the Karnataka High court where the matter was still pending, it said.
The Bench said disobedience of Court orders, more so persistent disobedience, has been viewed very seriously.
“It is not only desirable but an essential requirement of law that the concerned authorities/executive should carry out their statutory functions and comply with the orders of the Court within the stipulated time. Such course attains greater significance where the statutory law is coupled with the directions issued by a Court of law in relation to attainment of a public purpose and public interest,” the Court said.
Institutional integrity
Pointing out that the obedience of orders of this Court was necessary for preserving the integrity of the institution established by constitution, the Bench granted six weeks time for the second category of states to implement the scheme. It posted the matter after six weeks.
The court’s order was passed on a petition filed by Chairman of All-India Anti-Terrorist Front M S Bitta who had sought the Court’s direction to introduce tamper-proof number plates and licences for vehicles.
The Central Government had issued notification under the Motor Vehicle Act for the implementation of the scheme in 2001. Several petitions filed challenging the order were dismissed by the apex Court in 2004. The Court was approached again after several states failed to take action on the scheme.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks