Uttarakhand High Court Demands Immediate Action on Parking Violations
The Uttarakhand High Court has taken a firm stance against illegal parking in the state. A single bench of Justice Rakesh Thapliyal issued clear directives to top transport officials. The court wants immediate answers about why citizens continue to ignore no-parking zones.
Court Orders Affidavit on Compliance
Justice Thapliyal directed the state transport secretary and the transport commissioner to file a detailed affidavit. This document must explain whether the court's previous order is being followed properly. The court explicitly warned both officials about potential consequences.
"The court has no option but to initiate contempt proceedings," Justice Thapliyal stated firmly. This strong warning came with a clear deadline for submitting the required affidavit.
Government Admits Public Non-Cooperation
During the hearing, the standing counsel for the state government presented their position. He acknowledged that district magistrates have issued multiple circulars about parking restrictions. However, he admitted that a significant portion of the public simply ignores these directives.
"A large section of the public were not cooperating," the counsel told the court. He explained that people continue parking vehicles in clearly marked no-parking areas despite repeated warnings.
Historical Context of the Parking Dispute
This legal battle over parking enforcement has been ongoing for nearly a year:
- On February 25 last year, the High Court first directed state authorities to prevent roadside parking
- The court specifically ordered that vehicles should only park in designated areas identified by local administration
- In March, the court asked for updates about any state orders on the matter
- By April 2, the transport commissioner received directions to file a personal affidavit, which never materialized
The bench made its current position perfectly clear in a January 6 order. "What this court has observed is that the Feb 2025 order is not being complied with in a strict sense," the judges noted. This order became publicly available just last Friday.
Additional Requirements and Next Steps
The court has set additional requirements for the state government:
- The government must develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) specifically addressing illegal roadside parking
- This SOP must be submitted at the next hearing scheduled for February 16
- The standing counsel requested postponement until after vacations to prepare suggestions
The Uttarakhand High Court continues to monitor this parking enforcement issue closely. All eyes now turn to the transport department's response and the upcoming February hearing.
