Karnataka job fraud: Supreme Court stays SIT probe after state’s objection

The Supreme Court has ordered states and union territories to restrict various online and vehicle-related services for motorists with unpaid traffic fines. This includes blocking registration renewals, fitness and pollution certificates, ownership transfers, and licence renewals. The court learned that there were ₹49,194.05 crore in outstanding e-challans and that ₹26,175.05 crore had been recovered.

A bench directed that vehicles with unpaid e-challans should be blacklisted on the central Parivahan portal, which would prevent sales or transfers until the fines are paid. In cases of multiple violations, authorities were instructed to withhold licence renewals and suspend existing licences. The court emphasized the need for ground-level enforcement and random vehicle checks, threatening vehicle impoundment if unpaid e-challans remain.

This directive came from a 2012 road-safety case, in which the court has been monitoring the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules for 14 years. The court also called for increased use of technology in traffic enforcement, directing states to implement the SOP framed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The court directed the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to create a public dashboard showing enforcement locations, devices installed, and operational status.

They also sought details on Delhi's compliance with pedestrian safety measures along Mathura Road. The court questioned the effectiveness of its past directions and requested an amicus curiae to create a comprehensive report of all issued directions, their compliance status, and remarks.