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Journalism of Courage
Jugaad altered and assembled vehicles that ply on the roads across several states without even registration numbers may be on their way out,with the Supreme Court cracking the whip.
Underlining that Jugaad cannot run on roads in complete violation of the Motor Vehicle Act,the apex court has taken suo motu cognisance of their plying and put to notice all states to apprise the court whether they have taken steps to make sure such vehicles are no more being used.
We cannot allow Jugaad to ply in any state. These are admittedly in absolute violation of the provision of the laws. We also realise there are different shapes and forms of Jugaad in different states and hence all the state governments must ensure they have banned them accordingly, said a Bench headed by Justice B S Chauhan.
The court took a suo motu notice of the matter when Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) filed a special leave petition against a Rajasthan High Court order. The High Court had awarded a compensation of Rs 2.05 lakh to the kin of a person,who lost his life after the Jugaad that he was plying rammed against a corporation bus. Justice Chauhan,said Jugaad could be plying on roads across the country despite being a vehicle not recognised under the laws.
Additional Solicitor General H P Raval,called upon by the judge to adduce the centres stand,produced circulars by the Ministry of Shipping,Road Transport and Highways,which clarified to all state transport authorities that Jugaad had to be prohibited from plying.
