Stickers With Official Name, Designation Or Political Marks Is Tactic To Avoid Being Questioned By Police, Must Be Removed- Madras HC

The Madras High Court at Madurai has observed that stickers bearing the official name, designation, or political marks on motor vehicles is a tactic employed by those attempting to avoid being questioned by Police officers and project a sense of superiority.

The Bench of Justice R. Mahadevan and Justice J. Sathya Narayana Prasad noted that such unlawful activities committed under the shield of such stickers/political marks, cannot be accepted by the Court.

The Court also noted that the Respondent Authorities have not taken any action against the violators of Rules 50 and 51 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and thus directed the Regional Transport authorities of the State to conduct inspections every day and seize the vehicles if the number plates are not in accordance with the 1989 Rules.

In this case, the Petitioner had approached the High Court alleging that in most of the vehicles in the Karur district instead of registration numbers, the names and photos of the political persons are inscribed by way of adhesive stickers.

Advocate K.Govindaraj appeared for the Petitioner while Government Pleader P.Thilak Kumar appeared for the Respondent before the Court.

It was further contended such usage of the vehicles is contrary to Rules 50 and 51 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 which mandate the manner and size of the letters and numerals to be inscribed in the number plates of the vehicles so as to identify the same easily.

The Petitioner pleaded before the Court that despite repeated representations before the concerned authorities (Respondents), no action was taken against the violators and thus the Petitioner approached the High Court.

The Court held –

"…use of stickers bearing the official name, designation or political marks in the motor vehicles is a tactic employed by those, attempting to avoid being questioned by the police officers and to project a sense of superiority. It is the responsibility of the citizens to abide by the laws and regulations of the State and any failure to do so results in serious consequences. The sole purpose of fixing the standards for registration marks, size of numbers and letters on the number plates, is to ensure seamless identification of motor vehicles. Stickers on number plates, in effect, renders the whole intention of prescribing the size of letters and numbers nugatory. Therefore, such unlawful activities committed under the shield of such stickers/political marks, cannot be accepted by this court."

The Court thus directed the Regional transport authorities of the State to conduct inspections every day and seize the vehicles if the number plates are not in accordance with Rules 50 and 51 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 and impose fine and appropriate action against such violators and disposed of the Petition.

Cause Title - R. Chandrasekar v. The Secretary to Government & Ors.

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