Auto debit of traffic challans is unconstitutional, assault on fundamental rights: BRS MLC Sravan

BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan criticised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s proposal to auto-debit traffic challans directly from vehicle owners’ bank accounts, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of citizens’ fundamental rights.

Hyderabad: BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan slammed Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for mooting the auto-debit of traffic challans from vehicle owner’s bank account stating it was unconstitutional and a direct assault on citizens’ fundamental rights.

Enforcing traffic rules was undoubtedly the responsibility of the government. But, bypassing legal procedures and directly accessing citizens’ bank accounts amounts to an unacceptable overreach of State power, he said at a press conference here on Tuesday.

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“Governments are meant to protect citizens’ wealth and not target their bank accounts as revenue sources,” Sravan said.

A traffic challan was not a conviction; it was merely a Notice of Allegation. Every citizen has the legal right to offer an explanation, file an appeal, or approach a court of law. The auto-debit mechanism strips citizens of these rights and effectively imposes a punishment without trial, he stressed.

Furthermore, RBI regulations and banking laws categorically prohibit debiting a bank account without the account holder’s explicit consent or a judicial directive. Banking is a subject under the Union List, and a state government has no legal authority to unilaterally impose such a system, the BRS MLC added.

“On behalf of Telangana people, we strongly demand that this auto-debit proposal be withdrawn immediately,” Sravan said.