Taking serious note of traffic violations by official vehicles, the Gujarat High Court on Wednesday (July 23) came down heavily on police inaction, stating that no vehicle — not even one bearing the High Court’s sticker or number plate — should be spared for driving on the wrong side.

The division bench of Justice AS Supehia and Justice RT Vachchani made the strong oral observations while hearing a contempt petition alleging non-compliance of orders passed in a 2017 PIL related to traffic and road safety issues in Ahmedabad.

The bench was visibly irked after being informed of a recent incident where a car with a High Court plate was seen driving on the wrong side. State counsel informed the Court that the police official responsible for the High Court area had shown "reluctance" in taking action.

Reacting sharply, Justice Supehia remarked:

“It is not that cars of the High Court or of any higher government officer are to be spared. We don’t want that culture. No reluctance at all. No laxity. No discrimination. No special treatment. Law is to be applied. The High Court is not above the law.”

When the State counsel admitted that a police constable was also driving behind the High Court car — both on the wrong side — the Court noted the irony:

“We are trying our level best to see that the nuisance stops, and our own officers are violating it. They cannot be spared just because their number plate bears the name of the Gujarat High Court.”

Justice Supehia added emphatically:

“Not even my driver. I would be the first person to report to the police to take action against him. It sends a very bad signal… all our efforts get diluted. Just one such incident becomes a blot on the proceedings.”

The Court emphasized the broader public interest and its intent to instil civic sense among future generations:

“We have been declared the cleanest city. We want it to be the safest city to drive. That should be our endeavour — for the next generation to learn civic sense and keep the city safe and respectable.”

The matter is next listed for July 30, when the State is expected to report on the awareness drives being conducted by the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) in schools.

The hearing stems from a 2019 contempt petition alleging non-compliance with the Gujarat High Court’s 2018 directions in a PIL filed in 2017 by Mustak Hussain Mehndi Hussain Kadri. The original PIL sought repair of public roads and measures to address issues such as illegal parking and stray cattle.

Case Title: Mustak Hussain Mehndi Hussain Kadri vs Jagadip Narayan Singh, IAS & Anr. and connected matters
Case Nos.: R/MCA/979/2019 in R/WPPIL/170/2017