Chhattisgarh High Court Initiates Suo Moto PIL Over Police Vehicle Mismanagement
Court Orders Director General of Police to Explain Inefficiencies and Financial Losses in Vehicle Utilization
In a significant move, the Chhattisgarh High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of a public interest litigation concerning administrative mismanagement in the procurement and utilization of police vehicles, based on a revealing news report published in Dainik Bhaskar. The report highlighted critical lapses in the deployment and maintenance of police vehicles, leading to substantial financial losses and operational inefficiencies.
The matter, listed as WPPIL No. 88 of 2025, was heard by Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru. The court was informed that in August 2023, the State of Chhattisgarh had purchased 400 vehicles for the Dial-112 service at a significant cost of Rs.40 crore. Shockingly, these vehicles remained unused for nearly two years, during which they sustained damage, including issues with tyres and batteries, diminishing their operational lifespan.
Further compounding the issue, in April 2025, 325 new vehicles were acquired for police stations but were not deployed. Instead, instructions were issued to repair and utilize the older Dial-112 vehicles, leading to an avoidable expenditure of Rs.50,000 per vehicle on repairs. This practice not only incurred additional costs but also reduced the permissible running life of diesel vehicles from ten years to eight years.
This scenario has forced police officers to use personal funds to maintain old, malfunctioning vehicles while new ones remain idle. The court noted that this situation resulted from indecision in tendering and agency selection, causing administrative delays, financial burdens, and operational inconveniences in police functioning.
The court has directed the Director General of Police, State of Chhattisgarh, to submit a personal affidavit detailing the circumstances leading to the mismanagement, reasons for delays, and administrative decisions contributing to the financial loss. The affidavit must outline concrete steps taken or proposed to rectify the situation, ensure optimal vehicle utilization, prevent recurrence, and safeguard police operational efficiency.
The matter has been adjourned for further hearing on October 8, 2025, by which time the Director General's affidavit is expected to address all issues raised. The State counsel is directed to ensure the immediate communication of the court's order to the Director General for necessary compliance.
Bottom Line:
Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation initiated based on a news report highlighting administrative mismanagement in the procurement and utilization of police vehicles, causing financial losses and operational inefficiencies.
Statutory provision(s): Public Interest Litigation
