Public can lodge complaints against traffic cops found talking, browsing on mobile phones while on duty: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the Police Commissioner of Kochi to take action against traffic police personnel who are found to be using mobile phones while on duty, unless the same is for emergency or official calls [Aboobacker KA & Ors. v Joint Regional Transport Officer]..Justice Amit Rawal noted that traffic cops are seen perpetually scrolling on their phones while on duty and, therefore, ordered that any person who witnesses the same can lodge a complaint.“Police Commissioner is directed to sensitize all the traffic cops to be alert as it has been mostly found that they are perpetually on their mobile phones while on duty. In case any of the traffic cops is found indulging into talking except urgent official or emergency calls and browsing the mobile phone while on duty any person noticing the same can upload the video in the aforementioned telephone numbers and permitted to lodge a complaint,” the Court said in its order.For the purpose of lodging such complaints as well as any complaints regarding traffic violations, the Court directed that two toll-free numbers be set up for the purpose and publicised."Two toll free telephone numbers should be painted/affixed or be notified in every stage carriage vehicles and auto rickshaws for lodging complaint by the passengers, in case any of the drivers of the transport bus etc indulge into the violation. On receipt of such complaint the police would take action in accordance with law after due verification," the order stated..The direction was issued on a plea moved by a group of auto-rickshaw drivers challenging some restrictions placed on the number of vehicles that can be plied in Perumbavur city in Ernakulam.Even though the Court dismissed the petition, it kept the case open to issue directions on a regular basis to deal with issues concerning the operation of private buses and autorickshaws in Ernakulam district.In a previous order, it had directed the Police Commissioner and the Regional Transport Authority in Kochi to immediately issue orders prohibiting private transport buses from using horns in city limits and to ensure that they ply only on the extreme left side of city roads.Subsequently, the police intimated the Court on the action taken by it to deal with traffic violations and to raise awareness about the rules..However, Justice Rawal opined that more awareness needs to be created by installing speakers at junctions with pre-recorded voice recordings reminding drivers and carriage operators of the directions issued by the court.The Court also observed that despite its previous order, many stage carriages, and transport bus operators are still using pressure horns instead of normal horns. It, therefore, directed the traffic police to ensure that pressure horns are removed from all private, official transports and autorickshaws.It further ordered the installation of 'No Horn' or 'Silence Zone' boards at certain places identified by the police in its action taken report. The Court also directed the police to immediately issue directions to transporters and drivers to not stop for alighting or taking passengers except at dedicated stops, and to take action against those found violating the same.In case traffic cops do not challan vehicles parked on Marine Drive Road even though there is a dedicated parking space nearby, the Police Commissioner should take disciplinary action on the erring police officers, the order added..The matter will be heard next on August 31 for compliance..[Read Order].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.