Has your vehicle been issued an e-challan for violating traffic rules and you haven't paid it yet? Then this is important news for you. The Supreme Court has directed strict action to recover outstanding e-challans. This order, issued on September 28th, was uploaded on October 1st. These instructions were given during the hearing of the case of S. Rajasikaran vs. Union of India.

Crores of rupees in challans remain outstanding.
According to data presented to the court, fines of ₹49,195.05 crore were expected to be collected through e-challans. Of this, ₹26,175.05 crore has already been collected. However, fines of approximately ₹23,019 crore remain outstanding. Therefore, the Supreme Court has directed that the issuance of e-challans alone should not be used to prevent the collection of outstanding fines, but rather should be effectively collected.

What services may be disabled if you have an outstanding e-challan? If your vehicle has an outstanding e-challan, certain online services related to the vehicle may be disabled or blocked. These include RC renewal, obtaining a duplicate RC, changing the vehicle owner's address, and obtaining a fitness certificate. These services can only be availed after paying the outstanding challan.

Vehicles with outstanding e-challans may be blacklisted on the Parivahan portal
This could create difficulties when selling the vehicle or transferring ownership to another individual. It has also been directed that PUC certificates should not be issued to vehicles with outstanding challans.

Vehicles may be seized during inspections.
The Supreme Court has directed that vehicles be randomly inspected. If any outstanding e-challans are found during such inspections, the vehicle may be seized. Therefore, it is important for vehicle owners to check whether any outstanding e-challans are outstanding on their vehicles and pay them on time.

Action for five or more traffic violations:
Starting January 1, 2026, a driver's license renewal may be prohibited if they commit five or more traffic violations in a given year. In some cases, license suspension may also be considered.

AI cameras to monitor traffic rules
To make traffic enforcement more effective, states and union territories have been directed to strengthen AI-based electronic traffic enforcement systems. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court's written order does not specify that outstanding e-challans will be recovered directly from electricity bills. The issue of collecting fines through electricity bills was discussed during the hearing.

PC: Jivantnews.com