SC rebukes, fines Centre for not filing reply on road accidents

New Delhi, Aug 12 : The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up the Centre for not filing its response in a matter pertaining to road accidents and imposed a fine of Rs 25, 000 on the Ministry of Road and Transport.

Speaking for the Government, Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi assured that the response will be filed within three weeks.

The top Court rebuked the Centre saying, "thousands dying because of your indifferent attitude." During the hearing, Chief Justice of India TS Thakur slammed the Centre saying that the government was the biggest litigant but always blamed the court for not performing well.

"You have not filed counter affidavit for more than a year. Is this a Panchayat going on here?," Thakur observed in the apex court. The Centre had earlier filed their response to a PIL, seeking framing of guidelines for vehicles carrying iron rods and other protruding objects which pose a serious threat of accidents.

But the second prayer regarding the law on stationary vehicles as the main cause of accidents is yet to be amended.

Source: ANI