Tinted glasses in vehicles: DGPs, CPs to face contempt action

The apex court gave the warning while dismissing a bunch of applications by various dealers and distributors seeking relaxation of the ban imposed by it April 27 this year.

A bench of justices A K Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar asked the police to not only challan the offending vehicles but also to take forthwith measures to remove materials pasted on glasses by vehicle users.

"We are not emphasising on security threat to nation but it is a clear violation of the law. No material can be pasted on safety glasses, this law needs to be enforced.

"DGPs/CPs (director generals and commissioners of police) to ensure complete compliance in true letter and substance. At this stage, we will not initiate any action against the DGPs and other officials but issue a clear warning that in case of non-compliance, the court shall be compelled to initiate appropriate action under the contempt of courts act without any notice," Justice Kumar said.

On July 22, the Supreme court had expressed its dissatisfaction over tardy implementation of its directions banning the use of tint on car windows, beyond a permissible limit, in Delhi.

The bench had said the roads of the national Capital still had numerous cars with heavily tinted windows and windscreens and that the users or owners of such vehicles, often involved in accidents, go scot-free.

The court had also noted that most of these vehicles were being used by VIPs enjoying Z-category security.

The bench had observed that the VIPs, who were permitted to use tinted film on their vehicles as per the due procedure, were exploiting the relaxation granted to them. (More)