The Supreme Court has suggested linking unpaid traffic e-challans to electricity bills as a method to recover ₹20,000 crore in pending fines. The court, during a hearing on electronic enforcement of traffic violations, noted that while a large number of e-challans are issued, recovery remains minimal. The bench, comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan, emphasized that merely issuing fines is insufficient and that recovery mechanisms must be strengthened.

The court was informed that states and Union Territories have outstanding e-challan fines totaling ₹45,000 crore, with approximately ₹25,000 crore already recovered. Justice Pardiwala stated that the government must find ways to recover these fines rather than just issuing challans. The court proposed several measures, including linking unpaid fines to electricity bills, blacklisting vehicles with outstanding fines on the Parivahan portal, and blocking ownership transfers until all dues are cleared.

The suggestion to link traffic fines to electricity bills was made by the bench, with the idea that non-payment could result in disconnection of power lines. The court also discussed withholding Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates and preventing the renewal of driving licenses for vehicles with unpaid fines. These measures aim to ensure that fines are not just issued but also collected.

The court’s recommendations are part of a broader discussion on improving road safety and enforcement mechanisms. The case was heard as part of a public interest litigation petition filed in 2012 by orthopaedic surgeon S Rajaseekaran, focusing on road safety.

The proposed measures highlight the court’s concern over the low recovery rate of traffic fines. While the idea of linking fines to electricity bills is novel, it raises questions about the feasibility and potential impact on citizens. The court’s emphasis on recovery mechanisms underscores the need for more effective enforcement of traffic laws. However, the practical implementation of such measures remains unclear, and further details are yet to be provided.

The court’s suggestions are part of an ongoing effort to address the issue of unpaid traffic fines, which has significant implications for road safety and public compliance. The measures proposed aim to create a deterrent effect by linking traffic violations to essential services like electricity. However, the effectiveness of these methods in practice remains to be seen. The court’s recommendations may prompt discussions on alternative enforcement strategies and the role of technology in improving compliance with traffic laws.