End ‘lal-batti’ culture, top court tells VVIPS

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would decide whether a person other than the constitutional heads is entitled to use beacons and sirens on their vehicles. HT reports.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would decide whether a person other than the constitutional heads is entitled to use beacons and sirens on their vehicles.

HT Image

“We think you can remove the red lights from all other vehicles straight away. One thing is there in the mind of people that they dislike the red light. Why not reconsider removing it? That will be a great signal for bringing everybody at par,” the bench said, adding even judges would not mind travelling without the beacons.

The court also said beacons and sirens were being misused by people as status symbol. It said they should be used only on ambulance, fire services vehicle, police and army vehicle.

During the hearing senior counsel Harish Salve, assisting the court as amicus, placed data on the security cover given by different state governments to public functionaries and private individuals.

“Total expenditure is Rs.15.69 crore per month plus expenditure incurred on 20 sections of CRPF and 4 sections of CISF. 1294 public functionaries and private individuals have been provided security. Twenty-five people who are children and family members have been provided such security,” he said while referring to the Punjab government’s affidavit.

He informed the bench that the list included 65 persons facing criminal charges. In it there were 6 MLAs. Some of them were former MLAs facing attempt to murder charges, he said.