Chandigarh: In a stern warning to government officials disregarding judicial directions, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has imposed a total cost of Rs 2 lakh on four senior Punjab officers for “persistent and deliberate disobedience” of its previous orders related to the crackdown on illegally modified vehicles.
Justice Sudeepti Sharma ordered that the penalty be recovered in equal shares of Rs 50,000 from each officer’s salary and deposited into the Punjab Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The officers penalized include:
- Gaurav Yadav, Director General of Police (DGP)
- Pardeep Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Transport
- Moneesh Kumar, IAS, State Transport Commissioner
- Jitendra Jorwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur
Background of the Case
The court passed the order while hearing a contempt petition, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Mini Transport Welfare Association Punjab versus Pardeep Kumar, IAS, and Others. The petition arose from alleged violations of a September 20, 2023, High Court ruling, which directed the state authorities to take effective and regular action against illegally modified vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Despite repeated extensions and reminders, the officers failed to submit a comprehensive compliance report or affidavit, and even filed applications seeking modification or recall of an earlier cost order of Rs 1 lakh imposed on September 2, which the court dismissed as meritless.
Court Observations
Justice Sharma observed that:
The officers displayed a “casual and contemptuous attitude” toward the judicial process.
Contradictory data was submitted by the Transport Department and police regarding the number of vehicles challaned and impounded, showing inconsistencies and lack of coordination.
The three reports on record were inconsistent and mutually contradictory, reflecting a lack of diligence and seriousness on the part of the respondents.
The court has ordered immediate deposit of the earlier Rs 1 lakh cost and directed compliance affidavits to be filed before the next hearing on November 27, 2025.
This order underscores the High Court’s strict stance on enforcement of its directives and signals zero tolerance for administrative negligence in implementing safety and regulatory measures under the Motor Vehicles Act.
