High-security number plates: SC issues notices to officials

NEW DELHI: Taking strong exception to the failure of state governments in implementing high-security number plates and licences for vehicles, the Supreme Court today issued contempt notices to transport secretaries of Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

The court also asked them to be personally present before it on the next date of hearing.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia asked the transport secretaries of these states to file affidavits within four weeks and asked why cost should not be imposed on them for their failure to introduce tamper-proof number plates and licences for motor vehicles.

The bench asked other states, who have initiated but not completely implemented the scheme, to complete the task within six weeks time.

Meanwhile, the court was informed that the states of Sikkim, Meghalaya and Goa have fully implemented the scheme.

The court passed the order on a petition filed by Chairman of All-India Anti-Terrorist Front M S Bitta seeking court's direction to introduce tamper-proof number plates and licences for vehicles, contending that the present system is prone to misuse by anti-social elements.

He contended that despite repeated orders from the apex court, the state governments have failed to introduce the scheme.

He also contended that the scheme to change over to the new number plates was being extended repeatedly since 2001 and though the apex court had upheld the strict conditions for tenders called by the states, many states are yet to implement the scheme.

Even those states whose tenders were upheld by the Supreme Court have since withdrawn the tenders and have done nothing in this direction, the petition said.