The High Court of Chhattisgarh, taking suo moto cognizance of hooliganism on public roads, has ordered that 18 cars seized from individuals performing dangerous stunts shall not be released without the court’s permission. A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru, sharply criticized the police for taking what it termed “merely an eye wash” action, observing that authorities often become a “toothless tiger” when offenders are affluent or have political backing.
The matter was taken up for an unscheduled hearing on September 19, 2025, after the Court noted news reports in the Hindi dailies Dainik Bhaskar and Haribhoomi. The reports detailed an incident where several young men, en route to a birthday party at a farmhouse in Lawar village, were performing dangerous stunts on Masturi Road. They were observed hanging from the windows and sunroofs of their moving vehicles, driving rashly and negligently, which endangered the lives of other commuters and led to a traffic jam on National Highway No. 49.
The police action was initiated after other commuters recorded the incident on their mobile phones and filed a report. Subsequently, 18 cars were seized, and preventive actions were taken against the individuals involved.
Submissions of the State
Appearing for the State of Chhattisgarh, Advocate General Mr. Prafull N Bharat, assisted by Deputy Advocate General Mr. Shashank Thakur, informed the Court that the police had registered an offense under various provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. He further submitted that the vehicles used in the stunts had been seized and a recommendation had been made to the concerned authorities to cancel the driving licenses of the car owners.
Court’s Analysis and Observations
The High Court expressed its surprise that such incidents were continuing despite the Court having taken cognizance of the issue of road hooliganism on February 3, 2025, and after multiple affidavits had been filed by the Chief Secretary and the Director-General of Police detailing steps taken to curb the menace.
The bench made a scathing observation on the differential application of the law, stating, “It appears that the wrath of the police only falls upon the poor, middle-class and the downtrodden but when the culprit is an affluent person either in terms of muscle, money or political backing, the police authorities become toothless tiger and such offenders are let go off by paying meager amount of money in terms of fine and their vehicles are also released and handed to the owners.”
The Court questioned the reluctance of the police to invoke stricter penal laws against such offenders. “It is difficult to understand as to what restrains the police authorities to register offence under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 or under any other stringent laws against such offenders who endanger the life of other commuters by their irresponsible and negligent act,” the order read.
Emphasizing the need for deterrent action, the bench remarked, “The action taken by the police against such hooligans should be such which may be a lesson for their life.” It concluded that the action taken in the present case was insufficient and “merely an eye wash.”
Decision and Directions
In light of its observations, the High Court issued a directive restraining the authorities from releasing the 18 cars seized by the Masturi Police without obtaining leave from the Court.
Furthermore, the bench directed the Chief Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, to file an affidavit on the next date of hearing, informing the Court about the specific actions taken against the offenders, apart from the proceedings initiated under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The case, WPPIL No. 21 of 2025, is scheduled to be listed again on September 23, 2025. The Court has directed the State counsel to immediately forward a copy of the order to the Chief Secretary for information and necessary action.
