HC asks cops to submit affidavit on beacon violators

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police to submit an affidavit stating the number of cases registered in the last one year for misuse of beacon and the actions taken against the violators.

The Division Bench of Justice Ashim Kumar Roy and Justice Dipak Saha Roy issued the order after going through the affidavit filed by Transport Secretary B P Gopalika in which he stated that there are 34 categories of cars used by the government establishments and VIPs which can use the beacon.

Hearing the arguments,the Division Bench today remarked that only the VIPs or officials could use beacons in their vehicles during official duty. But the wife and children of the VIPs also used the red light fitted in the car during their personal work and the law does not permit it,the Bench said.

Two months ago during the hearing of an anticipatory bail petition in the High Court,the issue of misuse of beacon came to fore.

Following which the High Court took up the issue. The case will come up for hearing next Friday.