Telangana High Court Questions Hyderabad Traffic Police Over Rs 1,200 Fine for Pillion Riders
PakkaHyderabadi 
Illustration combining Telangana High Court and a generic image of traffic police issuing challan, used for representation purposes only
A resident of Hyderabad, Raghavendra Chary, has petitioned the Telangana High Court challenging a Rs 1,200 fine imposed by the Hyderabad Traffic Police (HTP) for riding with two pillion riders on a two-wheeler. He contended that under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the penalty for this offense is significantly lower—between Rs 100 and Rs 300—and claimed the imposed fine was unlawful.
The High Court has ordered the State Government Pleader for the Home Department to provide an explanation within one week regarding why traffic police are levying penalties exceeding those prescribed by law. The petition raises serious concerns about adherence to legal limits in enforcing traffic fines.
Advocate Vijay Gopal, representing the petitioner, accused the HTP of imposing illegal challans to intimidate motorists and generate revenue, rather than focusing on traffic regulation. The petition has sparked public interest from other motorists alleging similar overcharging, and the High Court’s decision could establish an important precedent for traffic penalty enforcement in Telangana.
