In a strongly worded order, the Chhattisgarh High Court at Bilaspur on Tuesday criticised the State Government for taking what it called an "eyewash" approach to prevent public road stunts and birthday celebrations on highways. The bench, led by Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru, made it clear that superficial enforcement would not be tolerated when lives and public safety were at stake.
The case arose out of a suo motu public interest litigation (WPPIL No. 21 of 2025), initiated after videos surfaced on social media showing people performing dangerous stunts and cutting cakes on moving vehicles.
Background
Earlier this month, the High Court had directed the Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh to personally file an affidavit detailing steps taken to curb such reckless acts. In response, the Chief Secretary submitted an affidavit on 28 October 2025, summarising police action across the state.
According to the affidavit, the Director General of Police (DGP) had issued circulars instructing all district superintendents to discourage road stunts, take immediate legal action, and conduct awareness campaigns. It also mentioned two specific cases - one from Barsoor (Bastar district) and another from Chirmiri (Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district).
In Barsoor, a video of a woman performing stunts in a black Scorpio went viral. Police traced the vehicle and fined the driver ₹2,000 under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act and ₹300 under Section 130(1)/177. In Chirmiri, a couple was booked for cutting a cake on the bonnet of a car under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act, with their vehicle seized and charge-sheet filed.
The affidavit also detailed a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary on 25 October, where divisional commissioners, IGs, district collectors, and SPs were instructed to enforce traffic safety norms and develop a 15–30 minute response mechanism for road safety complaints.
Court's Observations
Despite these reports, the High Court was visibly unimpressed. The bench noted that the State’s response “appears to be an eyewash,” reflecting a lack of seriousness and accountability.
“If such action is what the State considers adequate for violations of rules and regulations under the law,” the bench observed, “it would only demonstrate a careless effort on the part of the authorities, lacking seriousness to check such incidents.”
The judges expressed concern that highways and public streets were being “misused for celebrating birthdays by affluent individuals,” turning roads into private party venues. The Court remarked that such incidents not only endangered public safety but also mocked the rule of law.
The bench reminded the State that “strict and deterrent action” was required, especially when offenders flaunt their money and influence. The tone of the order suggested the Court’s frustration with what it perceived as cosmetic compliance instead of genuine reform.
Decision
Concluding the hearing, the High Court directed the Chief Secretary to file a fresh affidavit explaining further steps to be taken to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. The Court emphasised that this time, the affidavit must demonstrate real preventive measures, not mere bureaucratic assurances.
“We hope and trust that the State shall act more consciously and by strict action as would be truly deterrent,” the Court stated.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on 21 November 2025, when the State’s next affidavit will be reviewed.
A copy of the order has been forwarded to the Chief Secretary through the State Counsel for immediate compliance.
Case Title: Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation vs. State of Chhattisgarh & Others
