The Kerala High Court, acting suo motu, took cognisance of widespread reports concerning unauthorised modifications to motor vehicles, particularly the installation of strobe lights and other non‑standard fittings. The Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. examined video clips presented in open court that depicted vehicles equipped with strobe lights—devices permissible only for emergency service vehicles—as well as tri‑colour bright lights and a diesel car with a petrol tank fitted in its trunk from which flames were observed emanating from the exhaust while the vehicle was in motion.
During the hearing, the Bench orally observed that no action appeared to be taken by the concerned authorities despite the evident safety hazards posed by such alterations. The Court noted a recent trend where even police‑style lights were being affixed to private vehicles and subsequently showcased in vlogs posted online. It emphasised that these fittings compromised road safety, endangered pedestrians, and could impede the ability of other road users to judge approaching traffic.
The Bench referred to a fatal accident that occurred in Calicut, wherein newspaper reports indicated that four to five persons lost their lives after a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction failed to dim its lights. The Court remarked that, if the vehicle involved in the accident was not identified, affected parties might encounter difficulties in obtaining insurance compensation. It further observed that the accident appeared to stem from the reckless behaviour of another driver, and that only riders of scooters or bicycles trailing the vehicle would fully appreciate the difficulty posed by the glare.
Expressing concern that the authorities had not conducted an enquiry following the incident, the Bench stated that merely relying on insurance claims did not address the root cause of the problem. It directed the Registry to preserve copies of the video clips on both a pen drive and a compact disc. Subsequently, the Court ordered that copies of the recordings be furnished to the Special Government Pleader and the Senior Panel Counsel representing the Union Government.
The Government Pleader and the Senior Panel Counsel were instructed to obtain instructions respectively from the Transport Commissioner of Kerala and the officer designated in the Union Ministry of Road Transport. Their task was to ascertain the factual position regarding the prevalence of unauthorised vehicle modifications, to consider appropriate remedial measures, and to report back to the Court on the steps proposed or already undertaken to curb the practice.
The suo motu proceedings are registered under WP(C) No. 25158/2024 and WP(C) No. 25129 of 2024, titled Suo Motu v. Union of India and Ors. and connected case. The Bench’s observations underscore the judiciary’s role in highlighting regulatory gaps and prompting executive action to safeguard public safety on roads.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the Court reserved its order pending the receipt of the responses from the Transport Commissioner and the Union Ministry of Road Transport, thereby initiating a procedural mechanism through which the executive is required to justify its inaction or outline corrective initiatives concerning illegal vehicle fittings.