Punjab & Haryana High Court Seeks Report On Policy To Prevent Terrorists, Criminals From Making Their Vehicles Bulletproof

"Expressing shock" as how an alleged A-category gangster was able to get modified bulletproof vehicle registered in Punjab, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has sought affidavits from the State Governments, Union Territory and the Centre.

Justice Kuldeep Tiwari considering the gravity of the issue, enlarged the scope of the petition and impleaded the Haryana Government and the U.T. Chandigarh and said, "The respective Chief Secretaries of the newly impleaded...shall also, by filing their respective affidavits, inform this Court as to whether any policy or amendments in the existing statute/rules has been crafted by them to regulate the manufacturing, sale and purchase of protective gears, especially bulletproof vehicles, and, to ensure that the protective gears do not end up in the hands of terrorists, criminals and anti-social elements."

The Court also asked the Union of India, through Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, to inform the Court as to "whether any particular policy or regulations dealing with the modification of motor vehicles to bulletproof vehicles is in existence."

While hearing a writ petition, the Court highlighted a "very serious issue" appertaining to the prima facie unregulated modification, upgradation of motor vehicles to bulletproof vehicles. 

It noted that in the present case, the son of the petitioner, who is stated to be “A-category” gangster involved in approx. 41 cases, out of which, 14 cases are yet under trial, was able to get the vehicle in question, which is registered in the State of Punjab, modified/upgraded to bulletproof.

Hence, the Court had directed the Director General of Police, Punjab, and, the Chief Secretary, to file their respective personal affidavits thereby informing as to whether any policy or guidelines regulating the modification/upgradation of motor vehicles to bulletproof vehicles is in existence.

In pursuance of Court's direction the affidavit revealed that, "in order to ensure that protective gears do not end up in the hands of terrorists, criminals and anti-social elements, and, also to provide for deterrent punishment to the offenders, the Ministry of Home Affairs...dated 16.04.2003, thereby requesting the State Governments/U.T. Administrations to take urgent action for issuance of suitable notifications/executive orders, in exercise of their executive powers provided in the Constitution, Indian Penal Code/Criminal Procedure Code and other State laws, thus regulating the manufacturing, distribution, sale, possession and use of protective gears."

While noting that the Committee was comprised by the Punjab Government on April 28, 2025, to formulate a comprehensive and legally enforceable policy to govern the issue of protective gears, the judge flagged that, "the Government of Punjab woke up from the slumber only when this Court racked up this issue."

While listing the matter for August 28, the Court asked the the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, to inform  the progress of the Committee constituted on in April 28.

Mr. Amit Agnihotri, Advocate with Ms. Anju Sharma Kaushik, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Pardeep Bajaj, D.A.G., Punjab.

Mr. Satya Pal Jain, Addl. Solicitor General of India, with Ms./Mrs. Saigeeta Srivastava, Advocate for the respondent No.5 and 6.

Mr. Bhupender Singh, D.A.G., Haryana for the respondent No.7.

Mr. Manish Bansal, Public Prosecutor, U.T. Chandigarh for the respondent No.8.

 Title: KAMLESH v. STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS

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