The law enforcing authority itself has been found violating a direction of the Madras High Court and a Government Order (GO) pertaining to the use of red beacon light in their vehicles in Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts.
To regulate the indiscriminate use of beacon lights, the first bench of the HC had, following a public interest litigation petition, issued guidelines on March 17 last year clearly stating that only 18 VIPs, including Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers, MPs, State Election Commissioner, DGP, pilot and escort vehicles could use red beacon light with flasher on top of their vehicles.
While 14 VIPs, including District Collectors, IGs, DIGs and Superintendents of Police, were allowed to use amber (yellow) light atop their vehicles while on duty, police officers below the rank of SP and revenue officials even in the rank of DRO were not permitted to use any light. In fact, the amber light ought to be covered with a black cover when the vehicle was not carrying the dignitary.
However, disregarding the HC order, several police officers in the rank of Additional Deputy Superintendent of Police (ADSPs) and Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) in the Vellore range (comprising Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts) were moving around in vehicles fitted with the red beacons.
Police department sources said the DSPs have fitted siren lights on their vehicles to show their authority and differentiate their vehicle from the ones provided to inspectors of police.
”The DSPs and inspectors are provided with same model vehicle (TATA Sumo). So, most of the DSPs fitted beacon light on their vehicles to show their superiority not minding the HC order,” said a police source in District Police Office in Vellore.
Not only police officers, several revenue officials in the rank of Sub-Collectors were seen thumbing down the HC order and using the siren lights in Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts. “The attitude of senior police officers and revenue officials towards the judiciary’s order is sending a wrong signal to the lower level officers.
The superior officials who should regulate the second level officials are also not taking such violation of court order seriously and disciplining their subordinates,” said another police official.
A senior advocate in the Vellore District Court said it was sad to see the law enforcing authorities themselves not complying with the orders of the HC.
“It is a violation of the court direction and it amounts to contempt of court,” he added.
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