Archive · 17 Sep 2026
High Court Warns Traffic Police Against Turning Challans Into Revenue Drive
The High Court heard complaints about how traffic fines are being collected.
A petitioner said police stopped motorists, seized vehicles and kept original registration certificates.
He also challenged a Rs 1,200 fine for triple riding.
The court said people should receive notices about unpaid fines.
If they still do not pay, they should go to the proper court.
The judge warned that traffic policing must not become a way to raise money.
The court will examine whether officials broke earlier directions.
The hearing will continue after two weeks.
The Telangana High Court cautioned traffic police against coercive measures to recover pending challans.
The court said motorists should receive notices and approach the jurisdictional court if fines remain unpaid.
A petitioner challenged vehicle seizures, retention of original registration certificates and several traffic-enforcement practices.
The court said vehicles may be kept in safe custody when legally required, but authorities must follow the law.
The case was adjourned for two weeks, while the Additional Advocate-General assured police compliance with the directions.
- Who
- Justice Natcharaju Venkata Shravan Kumar heard petitions filed by V Raghavendra Chary; the State was represented by Additional Advocate-General Mohammed Imran Khan.
- What
- The Telangana High Court examined allegations of coercive traffic enforcement, vehicle seizures, retention of original registration certificates and disputed challans.
- When
- During the reported hearing; the matter was adjourned by two weeks. The petitions also refer to High Court directions issued on January 20, 2026.
- Where
- Before the Telangana High Court; the petitions concern traffic enforcement in Telangana, including Hyderabad.
- Why
- The petitioner alleged that police were using coercive methods to recover pending challans and were not following the procedure required by law.
Petitioner’s Concerns
State and Enforcement Position
Collection of pending challans
Petitioner’s Concerns
The petitioner argued that motorists should not be stopped or subjected to coercive measures merely to collect older fines; penalty questions should be handled by the competent court.
State and Enforcement Position
The State’s Additional Advocate-General assured the court that police would comply with its directions and follow the prescribed process.
Vehicle and document seizure
Petitioner’s Concerns
The petitioner alleged that seizing vehicles and retaining original registration certificates amounted to coercive action, citing an incident in which a vehicle was held for about six hours.
State and Enforcement Position
The court observed that vehicles could be kept in safe custody where legally required, while stating that authorities must act according to law.
Scope of the alleged violations
Petitioner’s Concerns
The petitioner relied on video footage and documents and alleged continuing violations of earlier court directions.
State and Enforcement Position
The court noted that an isolated incident could be examined separately and said broader consideration would be required if the conduct were occurring on a large scale.
- Court
- Telangana High Court
- Judge
- Justice Natcharaju Venkata Shravan Kumar
- Petitioner
- V Raghavendra Chary, a private employee from Tarnaka
- Disputed challan
- Rs 1,200 for alleged triple riding on a two-wheeler
- Earlier directions
- High Court directions issued on January 20, 2026, along with subsequent Supreme Court orders
- Next step
- The case was adjourned by two weeks
- State assurance
- Additional Advocate-General Mohammed Imran Khan assured that police would comply with the court’s directions