Chhattisgarh High Court: In a suo moto public interest litigation(‘PIL’) registered due to people causing mischief in the middle of roads, the Division Bench of Ramesh Sinha, CJ., and Bibhu Datta Guru, J., took note of six youngsters causing a traffic jam on the Ratanpur National Highway by parking their cars in the middle of the road and filming reels. Noting that no action had been taken by the Police apart from imposing fines, the Court directed the Chief Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, to file an affidavit in the matter.
Background
The present PIL was registered based on a news report in ‘Dainik Bhaskar News App’ dated 29-01-2025 about a birthday being celebrated in the middle of a road in Raipur, which caused a traffic jam. After the video went viral, the Police began an investigation. It was further reported that the boy whose birthday was celebrated is the son of a businessman who owned a supermarket, and the businessman was also present during the celebration.
On the last date of hearing, i.e., on 10-07-2025, this Court had directed this matter to be listed in August; however, it had to address another incident of nuisance that had taken place since the passing of the previous order.
A news report was published in ‘Hindi Daily Haribhoomi’ which stated that a video had gone viral in which six affluent youths riding in a number of black Toyota Fortuner cars were doing stunts on the Ratanpur National Highway. The rich youngsters were making videos/reels by parking their cars in the middle of the road and even had arranged for videographers and bright lighting. Due to their acts, there was a traffic jam on the National Highway. Taking note of such an incident, the Police imposed fines of Rs. 2000 per car.
Analysis
The Court remarked that time and again, such incidents of mischief on the road by not only illiterate people, but also people belonging to educated and well-to-do backgrounds, were coming to light. Nuisance on the roads not only puts the lives of such people in danger but also the lives of other people passing through the said roads.
The Court further stated that the Police’s response/action was very disappointing, especially when spoiled rich kids or affluent persons were found indulging in acts like the present one.
“These youngsters have been let off by the Police very easily by merely imposing a fine of Rs. 2000, which would hardly make any difference for them.”
The Court added that the Police was required to take stern action against such people who did not have any fear of the law of the land. The police authorities themselves appear to be helpless, and their helplessness would lead to lawlessness in the State. The Court noted that the Police did not bother to seize the vehicles involved in the act. Furthermore, as per the news report, no offence was registered against the youngsters under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, or the National Highways Act, 1956, despite the offenders causing mischief by rendering the National Highway impassable or less safe for travel for the general public.
In such circumstances, the Court directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit in the matter.
[Court on its Own Motion v. State of Chhattisgarh, WPPIL No. 21 of 2025, decided on 21-07-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the respondent: Advocate General Prafull N Bharat, Additional Advocate General Y.S. Thakur, and Deputy Advocate General Shashank Thakur
