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Punjab clears 4.34 lakh backlog of vehicle registration certificates, driving licences; High Court disposes of PIL

The Punjab and Haryana High Court records state’s affidavit that printing is complete and only 6,176 cards remain to be dispatched within 15 days.

2 min readChandigarhUpdated: Nov 19, 2025 01:48 PM IST

High Court disposes of PIL on RCs and DLs backlog after Punjab reports clearing the massive pending list of 4.34 lakh documents. (File)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday disposed of a public interest litigation that flagged delays in issuing registration certificates (RCs) and driving licences (DLs) to vehicle owners in Punjab, after the state informed the court that it had cleared a massive backlog created earlier this year.

The matter came up before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry. Appearing for Punjab, counsel Salil Sabhlok submitted a status report stating that the backlog was triggered by the “sudden exit” of the state’s earlier empanelled vendor responsible for printing RCs and DLs. The department, he said, activated its fallback plan to begin in-house printing and subsequently awarded the work to two National Informatics Centre Services Inc (NICSI)-empanelled Government of India vendors.

According to the affidavit, 4.34 lakh registration certificates and driving licences were pending when the situation arose. Sabhlok told the bench that printing of all pending cards had been completed and that 4,27,824 RCs and DLs had already been dispatched to people as of October 31. The remaining 6,176 cards were in the process of being dispatched and would reach vehicle owners within 15 days, he said.

The bench asked whether the petitioner had received his document, to which the petitioner confirmed that it had been delivered after the first hearing.

Recording the state’s affidavit, the court said the grievance raised in the PIL “does not survive anymore”. Disposing of the petition, the bench directed the Punjab Transport Commissioner to ensure the dispatch and delivery of the remaining 6,176 RCs and DLs within the next 15 days.

This PIL was filed in April by Neha Sharma, who complained about the delay in getting her RC. The court was told how the RCs had been pending for several months. While Sharma received her RC after the first date of hearing, the Punjab government continued to seek time to file its affidavit.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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