Unmanned Barricades Not Removed Even During "Peak Hours": High Court Expresses Displeasure With Delhi Police, Summons Special Commissioner

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday expressed displeasure with the city police over unmanned barricades being put on roads when not in use, resulting in traffic jams and blocking of roads.

The development ensued in a suo moto PIL registered by the Court earlier this year over the issue of setting up of unmanned police barricades in South Delhi area.

A division bench comprising of Justice Mukta Gupta and Justice Anish Dayal has directed Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) to remain present before the Court on the next date of hearing.

The Court said that the Special CP will also give a detailed status report highlighting as to how the standing order concerning removal of unmanned barricades when not in use, be ensured to be complied with.

"There is also an issue. So many times as citizens we see there is half a barricade there, there is nobody around and that one barricade on an otherwise empty road is causing a traffic jam. That does not seem to be proper at all," the Bench orally remarked.

It added,

"Even at 6 o' when there is peak traffic hours, they will put barricades like this. When three vehicles can go through that road, only one vehicle can pass."

The Court took note of the status report filed under the signatures of DCP Legal indicating that a detailed standing order was revised, wherein it has been instructed that under no circumstances the barricades should be left unmanned.

As per the said order, barricades should be removed from the carriageway and footpath when not in use so that they don't cause any traffic hindrance or become a cause of potential hazard for motorists and pedestrians.

The Court was also provided with a letter dated March 4, 2022 stating that the staff has been sensitized for ensuring meticulous compliance of directions contained in the standing order.

"Special CP (Law & Order) will be present in the court on the next date of hearing with a detailed report as to how compliance of the standing order will be ensured," the Court ordered.

The matter was registered as a PIL by taking cognizance of a letter addressed by one On Prakash Goel in December last year, claiming to be the President of Delhi Pradeshik Aggarwal Sammelan.

In the said letter which was addressed to the Prime Minister of India, grievances were raised with respect to setting up of unmanned barricades in the areas in question.

Om Prakash had also raised a grievance that such unmanned barricades serves no purpose and are in fact causing blockades of free flow of traffic, resulting in misery and harassment to vehicle owners and general public which lead to long traffic jams and hold ups.

He had also circulated news reports published in the Times of India as well as other Hindi dailies.

Accordingly, the Court had directed issuance of notice to Commissioner of Police, Union of India through Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi Government and South Delhi Municipal Corporation through its Commissioner.

The Court had also asked the Delhi Police to place on record the protocol that they follow in relation to setting up of barricades in the city, if any.

Case Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION V. THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND ORS