Jammu, October 5:
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu (Regd.) held a press conference today. The purpose was to put before the public their serious concerns about the recent changes in the electronic traffic challan system and the new policy under the Motor Vehicle Act.
While the association acknowledged the importance of proper traffic control, road safety and responsible enforcement of traffic laws. It also raised concerns about the manner in which the new e-challan system is implemented. Its potential impact on citizens, vehicle owners and drivers.
President K. Nirmal Kotwal along with S Baldev Singh (Vice-President) and others stressed that the use of technology in enforcement of traffic rules should be accompanied by transparency, accountability, due process and protection of citizens’ rights.
The association also pointed out the practical difficulties associated with automatic and recovery of e-challans.
JKHCBAJ also emphasized that the system enforcing the rules, no matter how advanced it is in terms of technology, cannot operate in deviation from the basic principles of natural justice and due process of law.
The association demanded that the process of issuance, scrutiny, adjudication and recovery of e-challans should be clean, transparent, easy and in line with the principles of fairness and natural justice.
JKHCBAJ reiterated that the legal community has an important role to play in bringing matters related to the rights of the public to the notice of the right authorities and the general public. The association will continue to examine the legal and practical implications of the new system and take the necessary steps to protect justice and citizens’ rights.
