Division Bench stays order for approving manufacturers of HSRP within 15 days

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A division bench of the High Court on Wednesday stayed a September 20 order of a single judge directing the State Government to complete the process for approving High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP) manufacturers within 15 days.

A State Government notification in August this year mandated that all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, should be fixed with HSRPs.

The State Government’s notification in August mandated all such vehicles to have HSRPs by November 17, 2023; i.e. 90 days from the notification.

The petitions before the single judge had claimed that only four out of the 20 HSRP manufacturers were given licenses. The single judge did not follow the Government order but ordered for a timebound approval process for more manufacturers.

The division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit were hearing a public interest litigation demanding an extension of time for implementing the HSRP for all vehicles.

The Additional Advocate General appearing for the Government Vikram Huilgol informed the court about the single judge order. He also mentioned that this order has been challenged and sought a stay on the single-judge order.

The Division Bench said that it would hear both the PIL and the appeal against the single-judge order and adjourned the hearing to November 22 while staying the single-judge order.