Ravinder Singh Rana vs The State of Punjab and Others

Jasbir Singh, A.C.J.—By taking note of death of many passengers in the accidents, who were unauthorizedly travelling in goods carrier vehicles, this writ petition has been filed. It is grievance of the petitioner that the goods carrier transport vehicles are not meant for carrying the passengers. The passengers can be transported only in vehicles having Contract Carriage and State Carriage Permits. It is stated that the authorities are not properly checking the good vehicles carrying the passengers and many a times the accidents occur causing death of many passengers as has happened on 29.7.2012 at Hisar and 6.5.2012 at Moga. Since the concern raised by the petitioner is genuine, we issue notice of motion to the Sates of Punjab & Haryana and Union Territory, Chandigarh.

Mr. J.S. Puri, Additional Advocate General, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of the State of Punjab, Mr. B.S. Rana, Additional Advocate General, Haryana, accepts notice on behalf of the State of Haryana, whereas Mr. Naresh Joshi, Advocate, accepts notice on behalf of Union Territory, Chandigarh. After hearing counsel for the parties and having regard to the averments made in this writ petition, we dispose of the same by issuing directions to the Incharge (Traffic) in all the districts of both the States of Punjab & Haryana and Union Territory, Chandigarh to ensure that the passengers are not allowed to be transported in goods carrier vehicles, more particularly in Canters and Trucks, The provisions of law be enforced strictly and any leniency will be taken seriously by this Court.