Why are traffic challans exceeding legal cap, asks Telangana HC

Telangana High Court directed the State government to clarify why Hyderabad Traffic Police was issuing challans exceeding limits under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The case arose after a petitioner challenged a ₹1,200 fine for triple riding, arguing it was unlawful

Hyderabad: Justice NV Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court on Thursday directed the State government to explain why Hyderabad Traffic Police were imposing challans beyond the limits prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The direction came on a writ petition filed against a challan of Rs 1,200 issued for triple riding on a two-wheeler, which, according to the petitioner, was contrary to Section 177 of the MV Act, 1988, that prescribes a fine between Rs 100 and Rs 300 for such violations.

The petitioner contended that the Hyderabad Traffic Police was arbitrarily issuing fines under the amended provisions of the 2019 MV Act, which were never adopted by the Telangana government. It was argued that traffic violations can only be penalised under the 1988 Act read with Rule 167A(6) of the Central MV Rules, 1989, and not under the amended provisions.

---

Counsel for the petitioner alleged that the traffic police were “on a spree of imposing illegal challans amounting to thousands of rupees, with the intent of instilling fear in people”. He argued that the Hyderabad Traffic Police had shifted its focus from regulating traffic to revenue generation, adding, “No citizen can be punished with fines other than those lawfully prescribed”.

After briefly hearing the matter, the Court granted the Government Pleader for Home one week’s time to file a response and clarify under what authority challans beyond statutory limits were being imposed.

The case was adjourned to next week for further hearing.