No stay on tender for tamper-proof number plates: SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today refused to stay the bidding process for high security number plates (HSNP) project in the national capital but restrained the Delhi government from finalising the bids till a final decision on the legal dispute pending in the Delhi High Court.

A vacation bench of justices P Sathasivam and A K Patnaik also asked the high court to expedite the hearings in the matter so that bidder for the project could be decided.

The court passed the orders on a petition filed by Tonnjes Eastern Security Technologies Pvt Ltd challenging an interim order of Delhi High Court which refused to stay the bidding.

The HSRP project, intended to prevent vehicle thefts in the national capital, will enable investigating agencies to track stolen or missing vehicles by using smart cards and global position system ( GPS).

The notification, inviting tenders for the project, was issued by Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System Ltd ( DIMMTSL) -- a joint venture company with equal equity of Delhi government and Infrastructure Development Finance Company.

The HSRP has a chromium-based hologram with 'chakra' image sticker having the engine and chassis numbers and non-removable and non-reusable snap lock.

Challenging the notification of DIMMTSL, empowered by Delhi government, to float tenders, the company had sought its quashing.