MP High Court orders reopening of closed RTO check posts:Shutdown reversed, state given 30 days to restore vehicle inspection system

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered the reopening of closed RTO check posts in the state. Hearing a public interest litigation, Justice Vishal Mishra ruled that roadside check posts are necessary for inspecting heavy vehicles and preventing road accidents. The court directed the state government to restart all check posts within 30 days. These RTO check posts were shut across Madhya Pradesh from 30 June 2024. The petition in the matter was filed by Rajneesh Tripathi. In fact, following instructions from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the Transport Department had closed all check posts across the state on 1 July 2024. The petitioner, Rajneesh Tripathi, had filed the plea in 2025 against Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department, IAS Manish Singh, and others. The petitioner was represented by advocates Jubin Prasad and Bhanu Prakash, while Anjali Mishra appeared on behalf of the state government. Disposing of the petition, the High Court stated that while state officials are free to adopt other methods for checking overloading in vehicles, compliance with the assurances given before the court is mandatory. Non-compliance of order will be considered contempt In its order, Justice Vishal Mishra clarified that the 30-day period has been given for the re-establishment of check posts. If the order is not complied with within 30 days from the date of receiving the certified copy, the petitioner may file a contempt petition to revive the case. The court further stated that non-compliance with assurances given in court would amount to violation of its order. The earlier directive regarding closure of check posts had already been stayed by a court order dated 4 September 2018. Court said – Vehicles should be checked The court noted that the responses submitted by departmental officials were not satisfactory. It observed that the actions amounted to non-compliance of court orders and breach of undertakings given before the court. However, the court did not issue punitive directions against the officials. The court also directed that vehicles entering and exiting Madhya Pradesh from neighbouring states must be checked. All vehicles found overloaded, overweight, or with excessive height or other violations must be stopped and inspected, and challan action should be taken as per rules.