Bombay HC asks state why towed vehicles are stationed in no-parking zones

The Bombay high court on Friday gave a final chance to the state government to file a reply in response to a petition that raises concerns regarding the towing of vehicles in an inappropriate manner and stationing them in no-parking areas. The petition says that this causes traffic jams, and the petitioner has thus sought that the court direct the state government to amend traffic rules to include laws regarding the towing of vehicles and parking the same in a legal and authorised manner.

The state government asked for two weeks to file the reply. But the court said that the state has already taken enough time to file its reply, and this would be its last chance.

A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M.S. Sonak was hearing a petition filed by Lakhpati Sarekar, an activist, through his lawyer Pankaj Purway. In his petition, Mr Sarekar has alleged that the Thane traffic police are towing two-wheelers and four-wheelers and keeping them in areas where parking is not allowed.

He also said that the towing van staff handles the vehicles in a slipshod manner, which causes damage to the vehicles. Moreover, if people ask them to stop doing so, they start arguing and misbehaving with the owners.