SC again slams misuse of vehicle sirens, beacons

The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the executive for failing to check the rampant use of sirens and beacons on vehicles by even minor public officials, despite its earlier directives in this regard.

A bench presided over by Justice G S Singhvi threatened to issue directions in this regard if no action was taken by the union and state governments. The bench observed that there was a need to limit the number of functionaries entitled to such facilities and to provide for imposition of a heavy fine on violators.

Posting the matter for directions on 19 August, the court said vehicles with beacon lights had become a menace to society, and had created two grades of citizens.

The court observed that beacons should be limited to the vehicles of high constitutional authorities, apart from the police, the Army and hospitals. The bench asked the state governments to compile lists of government functionaries empowered to use vehicles with beacons and sirens.

The court had earlier suggested that the illegal use of beacons should be punished with a fine of Rs10,000 and the vehicle impounded. It stressed that a token fine of Rs100 for most violations was not working as a deterrent.

Stressing that beacons should not be allowed to be flaunted as a status symbol, the court said there was no hindrance to the government withdrawing the privilege straightaway and sending a signal that everybody was equal.

While hearing a special leave petition questioning the continuation of Z-category security for an MLA from Uttar Pradesh without a review of the threat perception, the Supreme Court had enlarged the scope of the matter in the public interest and had put under its scanner the criteria for permitting beacons on vehicles.