Case Title : S.Rajaseekaran Versus Union Of India And Ors. & Ors.
Decided on 1st Oct 2026
The Supreme Court has directed States and Union Territories to take stringent measures to recover pending traffic fines, including impounding vehicles found with unpaid e-challans during random checks and freezing online services relating to vehicles until outstanding dues are cleared.
The Court observed that merely issuing thousands of e-challans would serve little purpose unless the authorities ensured recovery of the fines.
The Bench directed that vehicles be subjected to random checks and necessary steps be taken to impound a vehicle if it is found that an e-challan issued against it has not been honoured.
“We also direct that let there be random checking of the vehicles and if it is found that the e-challan issued has not been abided or honoured, necessary steps shall be taken to impound the vehicle itself.”, ordered the bench.
The Court has also directed all States and Union Territories to adopt stringent measures
A)For recovery of unpaid e-challans, including
B)For National Road Safety System Supreme Court Directs State Governments to Implement S. 136A Motor Vehicles Act for Electronic Monitoring of Road Safety
- Impounding of the vehicles
- Freezing online vehicle-related services,
- Blocking ownership transfers,
- Denying fitness and PUC certificates.
- Blacklisting vehicles on the Parivahan Portal.
- Shall bar from renewing registration certificate
- Issuing duplicate registration certificate
- Shall not entertain any request for updating owner’s address etc. ,
- The driving license shall be suspended
- Selling of vehicle
“…what is expected of the Authorities insofar as effective implementation of recovery of fine etc. Is concerned is to 1)freeze the online services for vehicles which have outstanding amounts.2) The Authorities shall bar from renewing registration certificate,3) issuing duplicate registration certificate and also shall not entertain any request for updating owner’s address etc.4) The authorities shall also deny fitness certificate until all pending traffic fines are entirely cleared and further5) there should be blacklisting of the vehicle concerned on the Parivahan Portal. 6)This will come in the way of the person concerned if he wants to sell his vehicle.7) The authorities should also proceed to block ownership transfer. For multiple violations, 8)the driving license shall be suspended from renewal and measures shall also be taken to suspend the driving license which may be in force. 9)What is most important is that no Center should be permitted to issue PUC certificate.”, the Court ordered
DR PREM LATA
