Police push for traffic court as challan nos soar in city

Gurgaon: With the increasing number of traffic challans, the traffic police have requested the district and sessions judge to set up a dedicated “traffic court” in the city. There are more than 45 courts in the district out of which some are dedicated to cases related to cheque bounces, labour and family disputes, but not for traffic issues, the cops pointed out.
Over 3,000 traffic challans are issued by Gurgaon traffic police daily and a majority of these end up in the court. More than 50,000 traffic challan issues land in court every month. Gurgaon police also issues postal challans after detecting violations through cameras installed across the city. The vehicle owner must pay the challan amount either at the traffic police’s challan branch or at the court. Settling challan cases through court could be cumbersome as people find it difficult to get details of the relevant courts and they have to take rounds of the courts.
People also complain about harassment and corruption. Just for a settlement of the challan, one has to make several rounds of the court, said a resident of Sector 14.
At present, one needs to visit the traffic police office then move to court, find out the relevant court, engage a lawyer and settle a traffic fine after completing formalities.
DCP (traffic) Virender Singh Sangwan said they have written to the district judge requesting to set up a dedicated court for traffic challans and make a provision wherein people can settle their challan even without engaging a lawyer. “The dedicated court will help in the easy and early settlement of the challans,” he said adding that the district judge has assured to consider the request. Earlier, the district legal service authority had set up a help desk for settling traffic challans. A team of police and volunteers were deputed to help people.