Chhattisgarh Court: Seized Cars Remain Impounded, Police Face Criticism for Stance on Stunt Drivers

Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha has issued a strong rebuke to police officials concerning their handling of a case involving young men performing stunts in cars on Masturi Road, near Bilaspur. The court, expressing its disapproval, has ordered that the 18 vehicles seized by the police will not be released without the court’s explicit permission. The court’s ire stemmed from the perceived disparity in how the police treat offenders, noting that the law’s full force seems to be directed at the poor, middle class, and marginalized communities, while those with wealth, influence, or political connections often receive lenient treatment. Advocate General Prafull Bharat informed the court that the police had filed charges under the Motor Vehicles Act and confiscated the vehicles used in the dangerous stunts. Furthermore, recommendations were made to revoke the drivers’ licenses. The court pointed out that it had previously addressed similar incidents on February 3rd and had received various affidavits detailing measures taken by the state’s Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to curb reckless behavior on the roads. The Chief Justice, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), reiterated the court’s observation that the police’s actions appear to disproportionately affect the less privileged. The court highlighted the tendency for wealthy offenders to be treated lightly, often escaping with minor fines and the return of their vehicles. The court questioned why police officers are hesitant to apply relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 2023, or other strong legal measures against those whose reckless actions endanger the lives of others. The court emphasized that actions against such offenders should serve as a lasting lesson. In the current case, the court viewed the police response as insufficient. As a result, the court directed the relevant authorities to ensure that the 18 seized cars remain impounded until the court grants permission for their release. The division bench has mandated that the Chief Secretary of the Chhattisgarh government must submit an affidavit detailing the actions taken against the offenders. The next hearing is scheduled for September 23, 2025. The court has instructed the state government’s lawyer to immediately forward a copy of the order to the Chief Secretary, Chhattisgarh Government, Raipur, for information and necessary action. The incident involved youths on their way to a birthday celebration at a farmhouse near Gram Lawar. They were filmed performing dangerous stunts on Masturi Road, risking the safety of other road users and causing a traffic obstruction on National Highway 49. The police, upon receiving reports, seized 18 cars from the Masturi area and initiated action against the individuals involved.