Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Delhi Lawyers Protest Amended Traffic Challan Rules and 50% Deposit
Delhi lawyers are not going to work to protest new traffic-ticket rules.
The rules let people challenge a ticket online within 45 days.
If they do not challenge it, the ticket can be treated as accepted.
A government-appointed authority will first decide whether a challenge is successful.
If the challenge fails, the person must pay half the ticket amount before going to court.
Lawyers say this makes people seem partly guilty before a trial.
They also worry that drivers may not understand or be able to use the online system.
The lawyers believe courts, rather than government officers, should decide whether a traffic violation happened.
Delhi lawyers are boycotting work over amendments to the traffic challan system.
The amended process requires challenges within 45 days through a prescribed portal.
Unchallenged violations may be treated as “deemed to have been accepted.”
People whose challenges are rejected must deposit 50% before approaching court.
Lawyers say the rules give judicial powers to executive authorities and disadvantage drivers lacking digital access.
- Who
- Lawyers from Delhi’s district court Bar Associations, including representatives of the Coordination Committee and the New Delhi Bar Association.
- What
- They are staying away from work to protest amendments to the traffic challan process, especially the 50% pre-deposit requirement.
- When
- On Monday; the amendments were flagged in a September 20 circular.
- Where
- Delhi, under changes to the traffic challan process governed by the Central Motor Vehicle Rules.
- Why
- Lawyers object to executive authorities initially deciding challan challenges, the mandatory 50% deposit before court review, and digital-access difficulties for some drivers.
- Protested provision
- A person whose challan challenge is rejected must deposit 50% of the challan amount before approaching a competent court.
- Challenge deadline
- Challenges must be filed within 45 days of the challan being issued.
- Submission method
- Challenges must be submitted through the prescribed portal with documentary evidence.
- Unchallenged challans
- A challan not contested before the specified authority may be treated as “deemed to have been accepted.”
- Rules amended
- Rule 167 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.
- Lawyers’ concern
- They say the process treats people as “half guilty” and transfers judicial functions to the executive.
- Digital-access concern
- Lawyers say commercial and truck drivers may struggle to use the online process and meet its deadlines.