In a continuing effort to strengthen road safety mechanisms across India, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (October 7, 2025) issued a series of fresh directions in the long-running S. Rajaseekaran vs. Union of India case. The bench, comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan, emphasized that enforcement agencies and state governments must act promptly on the Court’s earlier orders, noting that the matter affects “every citizen who steps onto Indian roads.”
The Court has been monitoring the implementation of road safety measures since 2012, following a public interest litigation filed by activist S. Rajaseekaran seeking nationwide reforms in transport safety and accident prevention.
Background
The PIL, first filed over a decade ago, highlighted alarming gaps in India’s road safety framework. It brought attention to poorly enforced traffic laws, lack of accountability among transport authorities, and the slow pace of implementing the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act provisions. Over the years, the Supreme Court has repeatedly intervened to direct the Union and States to strengthen road safety councils, enforce helmet and seatbelt rules, and improve emergency medical response systems.
In Tuesday’s proceedings, several counsels representing states and government departments appeared, including Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee and ASG Aishwarya Bhati. Senior Advocate Gaurav Agrawal assisted the Court as amicus curiae, ensuring that compliance reports were properly reviewed and gaps identified.
Court’s Observations
Justice Pardiwala, delivering the order for the Bench, underscored that “the right to life under Article 21 includes the right to travel safely.” The Bench observed that despite repeated orders, “implementation remains inconsistent,” particularly at the state level where road safety councils were often “non-functional or dormant.”
The Court expressed concern over the lack of data transparency and slow follow-up by transport departments. It noted that the Court’s directions were meant to ensure a systemic change, not remain mere paper compliance. “Safety cannot wait for bureaucratic convenience,” the Bench remarked, stressing the need for immediate, measurable progress.
On the request of certain respondents’ counsel, including Mr. Kishan Chand Jain, the Bench agreed to expedite the listing of specific interlocutory applications connected to enforcement monitoring.
Decision
Pronouncing its order, the Supreme Court directed all concerned authorities to strictly implement the directions detailed in the reportable order, emphasizing accountability in road safety enforcement. The Court instructed the Registry to list the matter again after seven months to review compliance and assess progress.
Additionally, the Court ordered that IA No. 43387/2025 and IA No. 119142/2024-applications seeking urgent directions-be listed for hearing on November 17, 2025.
With that, the Bench made it clear that the issue of road safety remains a live and continuing constitutional concern, deserving top priority. The hearing concluded with a stern reminder: “Lives lost to negligence are not mere numbers; they are failures of governance.”
Case: S. Rajaseekaran vs. Union of India & Others
Case Type: Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on Road Safety
Date of Order: October 7, 2025
Next Hearing: After seven months (for progress review); related IAs listed for November 17, 2025.