IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN
&
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALEE KRISHNA S.
Wednesday, the 19th day of November 2025 / 28th Karthika, 1947
WP(C) NO. 25158 OF 2024(S)
SUO MOTU
RESPONDENTS:
1. UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY (ROAD,TRANSPORT AND
HIGHWAYS), MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT
BHAWAN, GOKUL NAGAR, SANSAD MARG AREA, NEW DELHI, PIN - 110001
2. THE STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO
GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA,
PIN - 695001
3. THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT
SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA, PIN - 695001
4. THE TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER OF KERALA, TRANSPORT COMMISSIONERATE,
2ND FLOOR, TRANS TOWER, C.V. RAMAN PILLAI ROAD, VAZHUTHACAUD,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA, PIN - 695014
5. THE STATE POLICE CHIEF OF KERALA, STATE POLICE HEADQUATERS,
VAZHUTHACAUD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA, PIN - 695010
ADDITIONAL R6 IMPLEADED
6. NOUSHAD I, S/O.SULAIMAN, AGED 42 YEARS,
IRUMBADASSERI HOUSE,
VADASSERY, PANNIPPARA P.O., EDAVANNA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT,
PIN - 676 541.
ADDL. R6 IS IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DATED 13/09/2024 IN
IA.1/2024 IN WP(C) 25158/2024.
ADDITIONAL R7 IMPLEADED
7. THE KERALA STATE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION,
REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR,
TRANSPORT BHAVAN, FORT P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 023.
ADDL. R7 IS SUO MOTU IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DATED
22/01/2025 IN WP(C) 25158/2024.
P.T
ADDITIONAL R8 IMPLEADED
8. AJIN TOM ALEX, AGED 30 YEARS, S/O ALEX THOMAS,
15/304, PADINJATTINKARA ANUGRAHA, NELLIKUNNAM P.O,
KOLLAM DISTRICT - 691 520.
ADDL. R8 IS IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DATED 05/02/2025
IN IA 1/2025 IN WP(C) 25158/2024.
This Suo Motu writ petition again coming on for orders upon perusing the
petition, this Court's order dated 05/11/2025 and upon hearing the arguments of SRI. R.V.SREEJITH, SENIOR PANEL COUNSEL for R1, SRI. S RAJMOHAN, SENIOR GOVERMENT PLEADER & SRI. P. SANTHOSH KUMAR, SPECIAL GOVERNMENT PLEADER for R2
to R5, SRI. K.RAKESH, Advocate for Addl.R6, M/S. DEEPU THANKAN, UMMUL FIDA,
LAKSHMI SREEDHAR, LEKSHMI P. NAIR, VINEETHA BOSE, CINDIA S. & GAYATHRI
G., Advocates for Addl.R7 and of M/S. KEVIN JAMES, SHABNAM SAIDALAVI, ATHUL M.V., DEAGO JOHN K & ASWIN V. NAIR, Advocates for Addl.R8, the court passed the following.
ANIL K. NARENDRAN & MURALEE KRISHNA S., JJ.
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W.P.(C)Nos.25158 and 25129 of 2024
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Dated this the 19th day of November, 2025
ORDER
Anil K. Narendran, J.
In terms of the directions contained in the order of this Court dated 05.11.2025, the learned Senior Panel Counsel for
Government of India has placed on record copy of AIS-008 -
Installation Requirements of Lighting and Light-Signalling Devices for Motor Vehicle having more than Three Wheels
including Quadricycles, Trailer and Semi-Trailer excluding Agricultural Tractors - and copy of AIS-052 - Code of Practice for Bus Body Design and Approval, with the amendments made
thereto.
2. In paragraphs 33 and 34 of the decision in S.Rajaseekaran v. Union of India [2025 SCC OnLine SC 2191
: 2025 INSC 1189] the Apex Court noticed hazards from dazzling LED headlights, red-blue strobe lights and unauthorised emergency hooters. Paragraphs 33 and 34 of the said decision read thus;
“33. Hazards from Dazzling LED Headlights, Red-Blue
Strobe Lights, and Unauthorised Emergency Hooters:
33. This Court notes with particular concern the widespread use of dazzling white LED headlights, unauthorised red-blue strobe lights, and hooters that
mimic emergency sirens. High-intensity headlights, including those fitted in two-wheelers, cause temporary visual disorientation and glare for oncoming drivers, as well as pedestrians. Pedestrians face momentary loss of
spatial awareness, increasing the risk of being hit or tripping into roadside drains, pits, or other hazards. Drivers experience reduced reaction time, difficulty judging
distances, and impaired lane discipline, particularly on narrow streets and highways, which heightens the
likelihood of collisions.
34. Red-blue strobes, intended exclusively for authorised emergency vehicles, are increasingly misused by private vehicles and are freely available in the market. Similarly, hooters that imitate emergency sirens are illegally installed on private vehicles. Such misuse creates a false sense of
authority, intimidation, and panic among pedestrians and other road users. Drivers may react abruptly, slow down
unnecessarily, or make erratic manoeuvres, creating traffic
disruptions and raising accident risk. Pedestrians may freeze, retreat, or take unsafe evasive actions, increasing
their exposure to injury. The unauthorised use of these lights and siren-like hooters also undermines respect for genuine emergency services, diluting the authority and effectiveness of legitimate responders during critical
situations.” (underline supplied)
3. In paragraph 35 of the decision in S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India [2025 SCC OnLine SC 2191] the Apex Court issued various directions. Paragraph 35.15 deals with directions on white LED dazzling headlights, red-blue strobe lights and unauthorised hooters. Paragraph 35.15 of the said decision reads thus;
“Directions on White LED Dazzling Lights, Red-Blue Strobe Lights, and Unauthorized Hooters:
35.15. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), State Transport Departments, and traffic police
authorities shall prescribe maximum permissible luminance and beam angles for vehicle headlights and ensure
compliance through checks during PUC testing and vehicle fitness certification, while conducting targeted drives to
penalize non-compliant or modified headlights. A complete ban on unauthorized red-blue strobe flashing lights and illegal hooters shall be enforced through seizure, market
crackdowns, and penalties. Simultaneously, nationwide public awareness campaigns by MoRTH, state transport departments, and traffic police shall be conducted to sensitize drivers and pedestrians about the hazards posed by dazzling headlights, unauthorized strobe lights, and illegal hooters, thereby enhancing overall road safety.”
4. The learned Special Government Pleader to get instructions from the Transport Commissioner and also the State Police Chief as to whether any action is being taken to prevent
videography by vloggers inside the driver compartment of moving contract carriages and even heavy goods vehicles and against the use of contract carriages, stage carriages and other
motor vehicles on public place, openly flouting the safety standards in AIS-008 and AIS-052, posing threat to the safety of the passengers in such vehicles as well as other road users. The rampant use of such vehicles on public place is evident from the promotional videos posted in YouTube and other social media platforms. Openly flouting the safety standards and the directions issued by this Court in various orders, DJ lights, laser lights, multi-colour LED lights are fitted inside the passenger
compartment, in addition to high-power music system. Alternative power source with inverter and multiple batteries,
etc., are also installed inside the luggage compartment of most of the contract carriages, posing threat to the safety of the passengers.
List on 21.11.2025.
Sd/-
ANIL K. NARENDRAN, JUDGE
Sd/-
MURALEE KRISHNA S., JUDGE
അഭിപ്രായങ്ങളൊന്നുമില്ല:
ഒരു അഭിപ്രായം പോസ്റ്റ് ചെയ്യൂ