Delhi HC takes up PIL on removal of abandoned vehicles near police stations
New Delhi, April 22
The Delhi High Court has admitted a Public Interest Litigation highlighting the issue of damaged, accidental, abandoned and case-property vehicles lying in and around police stations and on public roads in Delhi.
The petition has been filed by Jan Seva Welfare Society through its president, Ajay Aggarwal, raising concerns over public inconvenience and safety.
The petitioner was represented by Advocate Yogesh Goel, who argued before the Court that the issue has now become a serious public health and civic problem.
A Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia heard the matter. During the hearing, it was submitted that water collects under such vehicles, creating mosquito breeding grounds, especially during the dengue season. It was also pointed out that these vehicles block footpaths, make cleaning difficult for sanitation workers, and reduce road space, leading to traffic congestion.
The Court took note of the submissions and also considered photographs placed on record showing the ground situation.
Observing that the matter needs attention, the High Court directed the concerned authorities to take steps to remove such vehicles from areas around police stations. It also asked the authorities to file their status reports.
During the hearing, the Delhi Police informed the Court that the Commissioner of Police had already instructed all SHOs to remove such vehicles. The Court directed the Commissioner to file an affidavit confirming this and to ensure regular monitoring through reports from police stations.
The Bench also noted that guidelines issued by the Transport Department in 2024 for handling such vehicles have not been properly implemented so far.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is a major public health issue, especially with dengue and chikungunya. Stagnant water under these vehicles is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. The authorities should have acted long back. Better late than never.
The police stations themselves are often the worst offenders. They use the space outside as a free parking lot for seized vehicles for years. Where is the accountability? The HC direction to file affidavits is a good step.
I appreciate the court taking this up, but respectfully, this is basic civic management. Why does it need a PIL and court orders for the police and transport department to do their job? The 2024 guidelines exist but weren't implemented. That's the real problem.
It's not just about removal. What happens to these vehicles after? They should be auctioned or scrapped properly. Creates space and maybe some revenue for the corporation. A proper system is needed.
True. Our footpaths are completely blocked. Elderly people and those with disabilities have a very hard time. Sanitation workers can't clean properly either. Hope this brings some relief to the common citizen.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.