For thousands of motorists in Hyderabad, being stopped by traffic police often meant more than a routine check. It sometimes meant pressure, delays, and being forced to clear pending challans right there on the road. Now, the Telangana High Court has stepped in and drawn a clear line. In a strong and citizen-friendly ruling, Justice NV Shravan Kumar has made it clear that traffic cops cannot confiscate keys, block vehicles, or coerce drivers into paying fines on the spot. The judgment restores a basic but often ignored truth: enforcement must still follow the law.
The Case That Changed Everything
V Raghavendra Chary, a resident of Secunderabad, had enough of being stopped repeatedly by Hyderabad Traffic Police. He filed writ petitions after facing situations where traffic cops would check for pending challans and refuse to let him go until he paid up. The court heard his concerns on Tuesday and delivered a judgment that protects every motorist’s basic rights.
The judge was direct in his observations. Yes, citizens can voluntarily compound challan fines if they choose to. But forcing someone to pay through intimidation, confiscating keys, or physically restraining a person is illegal and goes against established legal procedure.
What The Motor Vehicles Act Actually Says
Here is what many motorists don’t know. Compounding of traffic offences is your choice, not something police can force on you. The Motor Vehicles Act gives you the right to decide whether you want to pay the fine immediately or contest it.
If you refuse to pay on the spot, authorities must follow proper legal steps:
- Send you an official court notice
- Allow you to present your side
- Allow a judicial magistrate to decide the penalty
Anything else is outside the law. Traffic personnel do not have the authority to skip these steps just because it’s more convenient for them.
The Rs 1200 Triple Riding Challan Dispute
One specific incident brought before the court involved a challan issued on March 17, 2025. Raghavendra received a fine of ₹1,200 for triple riding, but the challan did not specify the exact legal provision violated. Even more concerning, the alleged evidence came from photographs taken using a traffic cop’s personal mobile phone.
His lawyer made a strong argument. According to Sections 128 and 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, along with Rule 167A(6) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, only certified government surveillance equipment can be used to detect traffic violations. A personal smartphone does not qualify as approved equipment.
Police Can’t Act As Judge And Jury
This is where the matter becomes constitutionally significant. The petitioner raised the issue of the separation of powers. In simple terms, deciding guilt and determining punishment is the role of a judge, not a police officer.
Traffic cops were determining penalties and collecting fines without judicial oversight, which amounts to overstepping their authority. Only a judicial magistrate has the legal power to decide punishment after reviewing evidence and hearing both sides.
Government Order Under Scrutiny
The petitions also challenged G.O. No. 108 of 2011, calling it unconstitutional. The arguments were clear. The government order conflicts with central law, gives excessive powers to traffic personnel, and violates fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens.
When state-level orders contradict parliamentary laws or the Constitution, judicial intervention becomes necessary — and that’s exactly what the court did in this case.
Real Impact On Daily Commuters
For commuters who face pressure at traffic checkpoints, this ruling offers real protection. You are still responsible for paying legitimate fines, but nobody can force you to pay them immediately on the road.
If a traffic cop insists that you must pay before being allowed to proceed, you can cite this Telangana High Court order, ask for proper documentation, verify the challan’s authenticity, and insist that legal procedures be followed.
Conclusion
The Telangana High Court has drawn a firm and much-needed boundary. Traffic enforcement must operate within the law it claims to uphold. Pending challans must be settled, yes — but through legal channels, not roadside coercion.
When the rule of law speaks clearly, even the loudest siren must fall silent. If you’ve ever been forced to pay a fine on the spot or had your keys confiscated, this judgment gives you solid legal backing to stand your ground. Follow traffic rules, respect the system, but never allow anyone to bypass due process in the name of enforcement.
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