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| A traffic cop removes tinted glasses from a car at Chandmari. Picture by UB Photos |
Aug. 8: Police have intensified their drive to remove tinted glasses from vehicles, by setting up checkposts in different parts of the city.
“There is a fine of Rs 500 for those found using tinted glasses,” said city SSP A.K. Tiwari.
The police drive was started in the wake of a Supreme Court order on April 27 to ban tinted glass in vehicles and a subsequent warning on August 3 to initiate contempt proceedings to the police chiefs of all states and Union Territories, if they fail to implement the order.
However, the police were not able to tell the exact number of vehicles from which they have already removed black films and the number of persons fined for the violation.
“It is difficult to tell the exact figure. Wherever we find vehicles with tinted glass, we take action,” Tiwari said.
The apex court, in its April 27 order, had said, “We prohibit the use of black films of any visual light transmission (VLT) percentage or any other material upon safety glasses, windscreens and side glasses of all vehicles throughout the country. The home secretary, director-generals/commissioners of police of respective states/centre shall ensure compliance with this direction.”
As the order was not executed properly, the court on August 3 said, “Director-generals/commissioners of police should ensure complete compliance in true letter and substance. At this stage, we will not initiate any action against the police or other officials but issue a clear warning that in case of non-compliance, the court shall be compelled to initiate appropriate action under the Contempt of Courts Act without any notice.”
In case of VIPs, the apex court said it did not wish to enter the area of security and safety measures and asked the police department and home ministry may consider such an exemption on a case-by-case basis.
“The cases of the persons who have been provided with Z and Z-plus security may be considered by a committee consisting of the director-generals/commissioners of police of the concerned state and the home secretary of that state/Centre,” the order said.
Tiwari said the drive would continue till vehicles with tinted glasses are completely removed from the city streets. “However, the number of such vehicles has become quite less. Yesterday, I personally did a check for around 35 minutes and found only two vehicles with tinted glasses,” the SSP said.
Tiwari also asked residents to cooperate with the police in executing the order of the Supreme Court.
“I have been urging people through media. Even in public meetings, I have spoken about the issue and there has been a good response. Even politicians called me up saying they had removed black films from the glasses of their vehicles, after my appeal,” he said.
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