Debangana Ray
Published on August 3, 2022 at 20:30 IST
The Kerala High Court directed the Police Commissioner of Kochi to take action against traffic police personnel who use mobile phones while on duty, unless it is for emergency or official calls.
A bench consisting of Justice Amit Rawal stated that traffic cops are seen scrolling on their phones while on duty and, therefore, ordered that any person who witnesses the same can file a complaint.
The court stated, “Police Commissioner is directed to sensitize all the traffic cops to be alert as it has been mostly found that they are perpetually on their mobile phones while on duty.
In case any of the traffic cops is found indulging into talking except urgent official or emergency calls and browsing the mobile phone while on duty any person noticing the same can upload the video in the aforementioned telephone numbers and permitted to lodge a complaint,”
For the purpose of lodging such complaints, the Court directed that two toll-free numbers must be set up for this purpose.
“Two toll free telephone numbers should be painted/affixed or be notified in every stage carriage vehicles and auto rickshaws for lodging complaint by the passengers, in case any of the drivers of the transport bus etc. indulge into the violation. On receipt of such complaint the police would take action in accordance with law after due verification,” the order stated.
The direction was issued on a plea by a group of auto-rickshaw drivers challenging certain restrictions placed on the number of vehicles that can be plied in Perumbavur city in Ernakulam.
However, Justice Rawal opined that more awareness needs to be created by installing speakers at junctions with pre-recorded voice recordings reminding drivers and carriage operators of the directions issued by the court.
The Court also observed that despite its previous order, many stage carriages, and transport bus operators are still using pressure horns instead of normal horns.
It ordered the installation of ‘No Horn’ or ‘Silence Zone’ boards at certain places identified by the police in its action taken report.
The Court also directed the police to immediately issue directions to transporters and drivers to not stop for alighting or taking passengers except at dedicated stops.
In case of purposeful errors, the Police Commissioner should take disciplinary action on the erring police officers, the order added.