The Delhi High Court has directed the Commissioner of Police to take appropriate action to address alleged lapses in the filing and monitoring of motor accident reports by police authorities. The Court took up a public interest litigation which raised concerns about omissions and procedural failures by investigating officers in motor accident cases, particularly with regard to the timely preparation and submission of crucial police reports such as the First Accident Report, Interim Accident Report, and Detailed Accident Report. It was contended before the Court that these reports were not being filed within prescribed time limits, and that copies of such reports were not being furnished to important stakeholders involved in motor accident litigation, including the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, insurance companies, the victims themselves, and legal service authorities. The petitioner also alleged that such accident reports were not being uploaded or made accessible on the police department’s official digital platforms, thereby hampering the ability of tribunals and other parties to effectively proceed with claims arising from motor vehicle accidents.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia considered these grievances. The Court acknowledged the concerns raised in the petition, noting that the statutory scheme for reporting motor accidents entrusts the police with the responsibility of preparing and filing detailed reports in accordance with procedural mandates, which are essential for initiating and advancing proceedings before claims tribunals. Observing that such reporting mechanisms play a critical role in ensuring that accident claims are processed efficiently and that justice is not delayed for victims and their families, the Court emphasized the need for a robust monitoring system within the police to ensure compliance with the law and internal protocols.
While disposing of the petition, the High Court did not issue specific orders mandating a particular course of action. Instead, it directed the Commissioner of Police to give due consideration to the grievances raised and to take all legally mandated steps to ensure that the existing monitoring mechanisms for motor accident cases are effectively implemented and that lapses identified by the petitioner are addressed with expedition. The Court’s directive reflects its view that systemic issues in police recording and transmission of accident reports ought to be remedied by the executive authority responsible for oversight of police functions, and that proactive measures should be taken to align practice on the ground with statutory expectations governing motor accident reporting and support for tribunals and victims. This ruling underscores the High Court’s concern about procedural diligence in handling motor accident cases and its insistence that the relevant authorities uphold their obligations so that affected parties are not prejudiced by avoidable administrative delays.
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