PANAJI
The Bombay High Court has directed the State government to ensure that directions issued by the Supreme Court concerning the release of uninsured vehicles involved in accidents are followed and sought instructions whether modifications made in the motor vehicle rules have already been effected via a notification.
The Supreme Court directed that where there is no insurance cover for a vehicle, the owner should be directed to offer security or deposit an amount adequate to satisfy the award that may be ultimately passed as a condition precedent for the release of the seized vehicle involved in the accident. If such security or cash deposit is not made, within a period of three months, appropriate steps may be taken for disposal of the vehicle and hold the sale proceeds in deposit until the claim case is disposed of.
The Supreme Court Registry was directed to send copies of this Judgement and Order to the Chief Secretaries and the Directors General of Police of all the States for compliance with the directions. The Supreme Court then noted that though direction was issued to all State governments to incorporate such a Rule, yet, it appears that no steps have been taken so far. Accordingly, a copy of the Order was directed to be once again communicated to the Chief Secretaries and the Director Generals of Police of all the States to see that such a Rule is introduced, if not already done, so that the victims of accidents get some compensation.
When the matter came up for hearing, the State government was unable to inform the court whether such modification to the MV Rules was indeed made in to the rules in Goa.
