High Court Criticizes Police for Inaction

The Chhattisgarh High Court has issued a stern reprimand to the Bilaspur Police for their inadequate response to a highway blockade caused by luxury cars. The incident, which occurred on National Highway-130, involved a group of affluent young men who organized a late-night photoshoot to celebrate the purchase of a new car. The court, led by Chief Justice Ramesh Kumar Sinha and Justice BD Guru, expressed grave concerns over the police’s failure to confiscate the vehicles involved in this blatant violation.

Traffic Chaos on National Highway-130

The blockade took place in the Hirri and Chakarbhatha police station areas, where luxury cars were parked across the Bilaspur-Raipur National Highway. Professional cameramen and drones were employed to capture the event, which was intended to create Instagram reels showcasing a fleet of high-end vehicles. The main accused, Vedansh Sharma, reportedly bought two new expensive cars and was accompanied by a convoy of black SUVs. Witnesses reported that the highway was blocked at night, causing vehicles to queue up on both sides, yet no one intervened as the group posed for cameras.

Public Outrage and Legal Actions

Videos of the photoshoot were initially uploaded on Instagram by Vedansh Sharma but were deleted after going viral and sparking public outrage. The Bilaspur Police initially issued challans under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act and claimed to have contacted the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to suspend the drivers’ licenses. However, no immediate vehicle seizure was conducted, raising questions about the police’s reluctance to act against influential individuals.

Court Demands Explanation from State Government

The High Court took suo motu cognisance of the incident after it gained widespread attention on social media and was presented as a public interest litigation (PIL). The court has demanded an affidavit from the state government explaining why serious legal actions were not taken sooner. Bilaspur SSP Rajnesh Singh confirmed that an FIR has been registered and vehicle seizure is underway, emphasizing that blocking a national highway is a criminal offense with strict legal consequences.