Court Issues Notices to Ensure Proper Training and Compliance with Driving Norms
In a significant move, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken up a writ petition filed by Ashish Shivhare concerning crucial issues related to road safety and the issuance of driving licences by the state's Transport Department. The court, presided by Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf, recognized the importance of addressing these issues comprehensively. The court's decision on March 16, 2026, reflects its commitment to enhancing road safety and ensuring that driving licences are issued by properly trained personnel.
The petitioner, Ashish Shivhare, appearing in person, highlighted several aspects related to road safety measures and the process through which driving licences are issued. The High Court, acknowledging the broader implications of these issues, decided to focus primarily on the core concerns regarding driving licence issuance and road safety measures. This approach, the court opined, would inherently resolve other sub-issues raised in the petition.
The court issued notices to the respondents, including the Transport Department and various agencies responsible for road safety, emphasizing the need for ensuring that driving licences are issued by personnel who are adequately trained and compliant with established driving norms. Additionally, notices were issued to address road safety measures that need to be implemented by the respective departments and agencies involved.
The government advocate, Shri Anubhav Jain, representing respondent numbers 1, 3 to 5, 7, and 8, along with Deputy Solicitor General Shri S.M. Guru for respondent number 2, accepted the notices. The court instructed that notice be issued to respondent number 9, with a returnable date set for April 27, 2026.
In a notable decision, the court appointed Mr. Arihant Tiwari as Amicus Curiae to assist in the proceedings. This appointment was made considering the petitioner’s pro se appearance, ensuring that the court receives comprehensive legal assistance throughout the case. Mr. Tiwari, with enrollment number MP 4145 of 2022, is expected to contribute significantly to the deliberations.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court's action signifies its proactive stance on enhancing road safety and streamlining the process of driving licence issuance. By ensuring that trained personnel are responsible for issuing licences and that road safety measures are diligently implemented, the court aims to address the pressing concerns raised by the petitioner and improve the overall safety standards on the state's roads.
Bottom Line:
Writ petition concerning road safety measures and issuance of driving licences by the Transport Department. Court issued notice to respondents on the aspect of ensuring properly trained personnel issue driving licences and the compliance with driving norms.
Statutory provision(s): [None specified in the judgment]
