“Law is to be applied. High Court is not above the law,” the Gujarat High Court observed on Wednesday while expressing displeasure at the police’s reluctance to act against a vehicle bearing a High Court number plate found driving on the wrong side of the road.
During the hearing of a contempt petition arising from a 2017 public interest litigation concerning traffic regulation and road conditions in Ahmedabad, a Division Bench comprising Justice A.S. Supehia and Justice R.T. Vachchani expressed disapproval over the apparent reluctance of the police to act against vehicles associated with the judiciary and government officers when found violating traffic rules.
The matter stemmed from a PIL filed in 2017 which sought directions for the repair and upkeep of public roads in Ahmedabad, as well as regulation of traffic, removal of stray cattle, and enforcement of parking rules. In response, the Court had issued a series of directions in 2018 and thereafter. The present contempt petition, filed in 2019, alleges continued non-compliance with those judicial directives.
The oral observations came in light of a report indicating that a car bearing the High Court’s number plate had recently been driven on the wrong side of the road. When the State counsel informed the Bench that the police official responsible for the area in question had shown hesitation in taking action, the Court responded firmly. “It is not that the cars of High Court or any higher government officers are to be spared. We don’t want that culture. No reluctance at all, no laxity. No discrimination, no special treatment. Law is to be applied,” the Bench observed.
The State counsel conceded the seriousness of the incident and added that a police constable was driving behind the High Court vehicle, also on the wrong side. Emphasising the importance of accountability, the Bench stated, “Not even my driver. I would be the first person to report to police that action be taken against him. It sends a very bad signal… Only because of one incident… it’s a blot on the proceedings.”
The Court emphasised that official vehicles, including those belonging to or associated with the judiciary, could not be exempted from lawful scrutiny merely on the basis of their registration details or nameplates. The judges emphasised that any leniency extended to such violations would dilute the Court's long-standing efforts to promote civic responsibility and traffic discipline in the city.
The Bench was also apprised of steps being taken by the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), including an awareness campaign in schools. The State counsel is expected to furnish a progress report on these initiatives when the matter is taken up next on July 30.
In closing remarks, the Court noted, “We have been declared as the cleanest city. We want that it should be the safest city to drive. This should be our endeavour. We are doing this for the next generation so that they may learn civic sense and keep the city safe and respectable.”
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