Delhi HC mandates number-plates for all cars, even for president
Addressing the rampant VIP culture in the country, the Delhi HC has ruled that all vehicles plying on the roads, whether they belong to the common man or the president, must be registered and display number plates. It directed the Centre and the Delhi government to make sure rules are followed. The NGO Nyaya Bhoomi, the petitioner, had pointed out two major shortcomings with the current system.
Petition alleges several problems with the current system
The plea by Nyaya Bhoomi had alleged that because the national emblem is displayed prominently on official cars rather than the number plates, it makes dignitaries easily identifiable and compromises their security. Moreover, a complaint cannot be filed in an accident involving a car with no registration number. This gives people the message that "if a dignitary could disobey laws and get away, so could they."
Current pratice symptomatic of the desire to rule: Petition
"The practice of replacing the registration mark with the State Emblem of India, instead of displaying them both, is arbitrary and symptomatic of the desire to rule rather than to serve," the petition said.
All vehicles must comply with the Motor Vehicles Act: HC
Announcing the judgment, Delhi HC Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar observed all vehicles have to abide by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which mandates display of number plates. The new rule will apply to all officials, including the vice president, governors and lieutenant governors. Rajesh Gogna, central government standing counsel, said dignitaries have already been asked to ensure their vehicles are registered.
Vice president's secretariat, external affairs ministry say action initiated
The court was informed that the vice president's secretariat had already sent a reply, claiming "all vehicles of this Secretariat display their registration number including vehicles being used by the Vice President of India and his spouse." The registration of 14 vehicles belonging to the external affairs ministry and in use by foreign dignitaries has also been initiated.
