Don't meddle with traffic even for dignitaries: Madras High Court
What's the story
The road traffic should not be stopped for the movement of dignitaries, including state Governor, Chief Minister, and Chief Justice, ruled the first bench of Madras High Court. The bench comprising of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose, also said exceptions may only be made in the case of visits of high-level dignitaries such as President and Prime Minister.
Stoppage
Traffic shouldn't be halted for over 10 minutes for VVIPs
"As far as possible, traffic should not be stopped for more than 5 to 10 minutes for the purpose of the movement of vehicles of high dignitaries, be it Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Justice (for whom the traffic need not at all be kept waiting) or anyone else," the bench said. However, the direction will not prevent the police-authorities from diverting traffic, it said.
Petition
PIL was filed by an advocate of the High Court
A public interest litigation was filed by S Doraisamy, an advocate of the high court. He alleged that traffic police officials restrained him wrongfully on a main road near the high court on 22 March last year following a traffic jam. The petitioner also told the court that he missed an appointment with his doctor on that day due to the traffic jam.
Cause
What was the reason for traffic jam on that day?
On 22 March last year, the traffic was halted as Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy, and his convoy was supposed to go to RK Nagar in North Chennai for a political meeting in connection with the by-election. However, no case was made out in the PIL for penal action against the commissioner of police or the deputy commissioners of police, impleaded as respondents.