The Delhi government has put the implementation of new traffic challan rules on hold after the lawyers’ coordination committee objected to provisions governing how residents can challenge penalties and approach court. The Transport Department has been directed to review the notification before the system is introduced.
The government’s decision follows a memorandum submitted by the lawyers’ coordination committee. The objections focus on a proposed process in which designated administrative officers would initially decide complaints against traffic challans. The committee argued that allowing administrative officials to determine whether a challan is valid could affect the role of the judicial process.
The notification issued on September 14 gave nine departments the authority to settle challan-related matters. Under the proposed system, a person disputing a traffic challan would first have to file an objection before the designated authority rather than directly pursuing the matter through the existing process.
A key provision required a person to deposit 50 per cent of the challan amount before approaching court if the objection was rejected by the designated officer. For example, a person issued a challan of Rs 10,000 would have to deposit Rs 5,000 before taking the dispute to court.
The lawyers’ committee raised concerns that this requirement could make it harder for economically weaker residents to challenge an incorrect challan. Its objections also covered the proposed 45-day deadline for filing a complaint. Under the rules, a challan could be treated as accepted if an objection was not submitted within the specified period.
The committee said the online process and fixed deadline could create difficulties for people who are unable to file objections on time. The concerns place the proposed system’s administrative efficiency against questions of access to legal remedy and the ability of residents to contest penalties.
Transport Minister Dr Pankaj Singh said the points raised in the memorandum would be examined by the Transport Department. He also said the matter would be brought to the attention of the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister before further action is decided.
The government has said the proposed rules were intended to make challan settlement faster and easier and reduce the burden of pending cases in courts. However, the new arrangements will not come into force while the notification is under review.
The next decision will depend on the Transport Department’s examination of the objections and the government’s assessment of the practical concerns raised by the lawyers’ committee. Until that review is completed, the provisions in the September 14 notification will remain on hold.
