The Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu’s Transport Commissioner to submit a report on action taken against the unauthorised use of government and national emblems, as well as stickers and slogans identifying vehicle users as journalists, doctors, lawyers or police personnel.
The direction was issued during the hearing of a case related to bus services before Justice N Senthilkumar. The judge added the Transport Commissioner as a respondent and asked the official to report on enforcement undertaken during the past six months against such stickers and inscriptions on government and private vehicles.
The court’s order covers stickers that suggest an official or professional status without authorisation. The report is expected to address the action taken against vehicles displaying such markings and slogans, according to the report published by Dinamalar.
The court also observed that former Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies, retired officials and former office-bearers are not authorised to use government emblems on their vehicles, letterheads or buildings. Despite this, the order noted that government symbols continue to be displayed on the exterior of vehicles by several people.
The issue concerns the distinction between authorised identification and symbols that may create an impression of official privilege or access on public roads. The court’s direction places responsibility on the Transport Department to document enforcement rather than merely identify the existence of unauthorised markings.
The order also refers to an earlier direction issued to the government and the Director General of Police. In that direction, the authorities had been asked to remove unauthorised national emblems within one month and register cases against those violating the rules.
The High Court has now sought a report on whether that earlier direction was implemented. The Transport Commissioner must provide details of action taken during the last six months against unauthorised stickers and slogans, while the authorities must also report on compliance with the earlier order concerning national emblems.
The directions place the next step with the Transport Department, the state government and the police. The court is expected to examine the submitted report as part of the ongoing proceedings.
