Jabalpur, April 22 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday ordered the state government to reopen and reactivate all defunct Regional Transport Office (RTO) check posts within a period of 30 days, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) related to road safety, transport regulation, and enforcement mechanisms across the state.

The bench of Justice Vishal Mishra issued clear and categorical directions, stating that RTO check posts are essential for monitoring the movement of heavy vehicles, curbing overloading, ensuring compliance with transport regulations, and preventing road accidents on highways and arterial routes.

The court made it explicitly clear that compliance with its order is mandatory in nature and cannot be avoided or bypassed even if the state government proposes alternative enforcement mechanisms or frameworks in place of physical check posts.

The directive comes in the backdrop of the state government’s earlier decision to shut down all transport check posts across Madhya Pradesh with effect from July 1, 2024, following instructions from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Following this decision, the Transport Department had dismantled the existing inspection and monitoring system and had introduced a proposal to develop a new framework consisting of designated checking points and mobile enforcement units to regulate transport operations.

The PIL was filed in 2025 by petitioner Rajneesh Tripathi, who challenged the closure of check posts and raised concerns over its impact on road safety and enforcement. He named several senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Manish Singh, as respondents in the matter.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocates Jubin Prasad and Bhanu Prakash argued that the shutdown of check posts had led to a noticeable rise in overloading, unauthorised transport operations, and traffic violations, thereby increasing the risk of road accidents and endangering public safety.

Representing the state government, advocate Anjali Mishra presented the government’s response and justification for the policy decision. However, the court found the arguments presented by the state to be unsatisfactory and lacking in merit.

The court observed that the conduct of the concerned departmental officials reflected a disregard for earlier judicial directions and emphasised that strict adherence to the rule of law and judicial orders is essential in a functioning democracy.

The court further warned that failure on the part of the state government to comply with its order within the stipulated 30-day period would entitle the petitioner to initiate contempt proceedings against the concerned authorities. It also added that any instance of non-compliance would be viewed seriously by the court.

Reacting to the verdict, Madhya Pradesh Transport Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh said: “After carefully studying the High Court’s order and consulting legal experts, further action will be taken in strict compliance with the court’s directives and observations.”

His statement indicates that the state government may review its earlier policy decision while ensuring adherence to the judicial order and directions issued by the court.

–IANS

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