The Madras High Court Today (July 2nd) said that the Police should take action against the misuse of ‘advocate’ stickers on private vehicles. A bench of acting Chief Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shafiq was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition alleging that lawyers were misusing ‘advocate stickers’ on their private vehicles to seek immunity from traffic offences etc.
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CHENNAI: The Madras High Court, on Tuesday, emphasized the need for the police to address the misuse of ‘advocate‘ stickers on private vehicles, ensuring no immunity from traffic offences is wrongly claimed.
During the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shafiq examined allegations that lawyers were exploiting ‘advocate stickers’ to evade traffic rules.
“The police need not be afraid of anything. There exist multiple orders even by the Supreme Court against use of random stickers. Go take proper action, do not be afraid,”
-the Court asserted.
The PIL underscored that using stickers to intimidate and avoid police enforcement in traffic violations is illegal. The petitioner, S Devadoss Gandhi Wilson, argued that, unlike doctors who may need stickers for emergency situations, lawyers do not require them once they leave the court premises.
The Court sought clarity on the specific types of stickers being used by lawyers in Chennai.
“Which stickers are used here in Madras? Go tell the Bar Association that police will take action against all illegal stickers,”
-the Court stated.
The Madras Bar Association (MBA) informed the court that, aside from Tamil Nadu Bar Association stickers, members of the MBA who practice at the Madras High Court also use a membership sticker on their vehicles.
The petitioner suggested a solution where these membership stickers could be placed under the car’s sunshades, to be displayed only when necessary for parking attendants or police. However, the Court maintained a firm stance, allowing the police to act without restriction.
“We are not going to get into all that. The police are permitted to take action. It is not just this Court that is saying this. The Supreme Court has also said it,”
-stated ACJ Mahadevan.
Ultimately, the Court issued a notice to the State government and the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu, instructing them to file their counter statements before the next hearing scheduled in two weeks.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Advocate Stickers
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