Kochi :The State Police and Transport Department have been ordered by the Kerala High Court to take strict action against any alterations or violations by contract carriages or other vehicles in public places that endanger the safety of passengers and other road users. The court ordered that vehicles found to be in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act and safety regulations be stopped from operating further while the fitness certificate and driver’s licence are immediately suspended.
Five kids and a teacher were among the nine people killed in the accident in Vadakkancherry in the Palakkad district last Thursday, which was being reviewed by a division bench made up of Justices Anil K. Narendran and PG Ajith Kumar. The court further ordered that legal action be taken against vehicle owners, companies that make modifications including adding bright lights and loud speakers, and vloggers who advertise the use of these contract carriages.
It stated that if the head of an educational institution and teachers were discovered to be using the services of such vehicles for study tours, the concerned departments should take appropriate measures.