'Police Can't Go Soft on Privileged': Chhattisgarh HC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Highway Blockage for Reels

The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of a viral video showing a group of affluent youths performing stunts and blocking traffic on the Ratanpur National Highway, slamming the police for its delayed and inadequate response.

Observing that the rule of law cannot be bent to suit the privileged, the court directed the Chief Secretary of the state to file a personal affidavit in the matter.

The case was triggered by a news report published in the Hindi daily Haribhoomi on July 20, which highlighted how six youngsters in black Toyota Fortuner cars parked their vehicles in a row, used bright lights, and filmed stunt reels on the highway. The resulting chaos led to a traffic jam, with citizens stranded on a major arterial road.

The reel, reportedly uploaded by Vedant Sharma, son of local figure Vinay Sharma, sparked widespread outrage once it circulated on social media. Yet, the only action taken by the police was the imposition of a meagre Rs. 2,000 fine per car, no FIR was filed, the cars were not seized, and there was no application of criminal or road safety laws.

“No offence appears to have been registered against the offenders under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Motor Vehicles Act, or the National Highways Act,” the court observed.

The bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru expressed dismay over what it called the “helplessness” of police authorities in dealing with “spoiled rich kids.”

Court noted that such leniency, especially when the offenders are from influential backgrounds, sets a dangerous precedent that may lead to lawlessness in the state. "When such people do not have any fear of the law of the land, the Police was required to take stern action against them. The police authorities themselves appear to be helpless and their helplessness would lead to lawlessness in the State," it observed.

Court also recalled a similar incident from earlier this month involving the wife of a Deputy Superintendent of Police indulging in public nuisance. It stressed that public roads are not private playgrounds and that the law must be enforced uniformly, regardless of one’s social or financial status.

The matter will now be taken up again on August 7.

Case Title: In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation vs State Of Chhattisgarh & Others

Order Date: July 21, 2025

Bench: Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru