CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has imposed penalties on four senior Punjab officials for failing to comply with its orders regarding illegally modified vehicles operating in the state.
Those fined include Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, Transport Secretary Pradeep Kumar (IAS), State Transport Commissioner Manish Kumar (IAS), and Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal (IAS).
The court ordered that the fines be deducted from the officers’ salaries and deposited in the Punjab Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The latest penalty of ₹2 lakh comes in addition to an earlier fine of ₹1 lakh already imposed on them.
Justice Sudapati Sharma, while hearing a defamation petition filed by the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Mini Transport Welfare Association, said the conduct of the officers showed a “persistent and deliberate disregard” for court orders.
The contempt petition relates to a High Court order dated September 20, 2023, which mandated effective and regular action under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, against such vehicles. The court noted that despite repeated opportunities, the authorities had failed to submit a satisfactory compliance report.
The court further ordered that the previously imposed ₹1 lakh fine be deposited immediately and supported with an affidavit. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for November 27.
