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Maharashtra Police on Thursday issued a fresh circular to address complaints raised by the transporters’ community regarding the e-challan system and alleged harassment by traffic personnel on roads.

As per the officials from the Maharashtra Transport Department, the circular was issued following a meeting between representatives of the transport sector. The circular was released on behalf of the Maharashtra Police by Pravin Salunke, which lays down clear operational guidelines for personnel involved in traffic enforcement.

The directive came after several transport bodies submitted representations claiming that drivers were being stopped unnecessarily and pressured to pay pending e-challan fines on the spot. The new circular clarifies that traffic police must strictly follow the prescribed legal procedure while issuing and enforcing e-challans.

According to the instructions issued by the authorities, the traffic police must follow the prescribed legal procedure for issuing e-challans. Giving operational guidance, the advisory issued by the Mumbai Police also adds that any collection or recovery of fines must be done as per office rules and earlier circulars and not by coercion on the road. 

The advisory further noted, “If an e-challan requires recovery, the statutory procedure must be followed; field officers must record and process cases through the proper channels.”

Proper procedure to be followed before filing e-challan

Mentioning enforcement/discipline, it also highlights and adds that no traffic officer or constable is permitted to forcibly collect e-challan fines or demand illegal payment from drivers. Officers who violate these instructions or the office circulars will face departmental disciplinary action.

Police personnel have also been instructed that if recovery of an e-challan is required, the statutory process must be followed and cases must be recorded and processed through the proper administrative channels rather than through direct roadside enforcement.

Reacting to the development, Bal Malkit Singh, member of the All India Motor Transport Congress and a member of the Maharashtra Transporters Action Committee, welcomed the move.

A Maharashtra Transporters Action Committee member said, “This is a big relief for the entire transport fraternity. Subsequent to our meeting and the concerns raised by us regarding harassment and illegal recovery of e-challans, the authorities have now issued clear orders to stop such practices.

“We welcome this positive step and hope the directions will be strictly implemented on the ground,” Singh added.