HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN W.P.No.45674 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.50906 of 2025 All India Motor Vehicle Security Association, Rep. through R Sekar, Authorized Signatory

by Sekar Reporter · December 8, 2025

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 28.11.2025
CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA,
CHIEF JUSTICE
AND
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN
W.P.No.45674 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.50906 of 2025
All India Motor Vehicle Security Association,
Rep. through R Sekar, Authorized Signatory
Having its registered office at
Unit No.DTJ 210, Second Floor,
DLF Tower-B, Plot No.11,
Jasola District Centre, Zakir Nagar, New Delhi-110025.
Petitioner
Vs
State of Tamil Nadu
Rep. through Transport Commissioner, State Transport Department,
Ezhilagam Building, Chepauk.
Respondent
PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to implement the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) for all vehicles manufactured prior to 01.04.2019 within a time bound period, through the vehicle manufactures and their respective dealers in strict compliance with the Notifications, Advisories and Circulars issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), including
G.S.R. 1162 (E) dated 04.12.2018, S.O. 6052(E) dated 06.12.2018,
G.S.R. 104(E) dated 11.02.2020 G.S.R. 640(E) dated 18.08.2022, MoRTH Advisory dated 09.06.2023 and MoRTH Circular dated 08.01.2024, as already implemented in more than 20 States across the country.
For Petitioner: Mr.S.Haja Mohideen Gisthi
For Respondent: Mr.A.Edwin Prabakar State Government Pleader assisted by
Mr.M.Habeeb Rahman
Government Advocate
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon’ble Chief Justice)
This petition has been filed seeking issuance of mandamus to direct the respondent/State to implement the High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) for all vehicles manufactured prior to 1.4.2019 in a time bound manner, through the vehicle manufactures and their respective dealers, in strict compliance with the Notifications, Advisories and Circulars issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), including G.S.R.1162(E) dated 04.12.2018, S.O.
6052(E) dated 06.12.2018, G.S.R.104(E) dated 11.02.2020,
G.S.R.640(E) dated 18.08.2022, MoRTH Advisory dated 09.06.2023 and MoRTH Circular dated 08.01.2024
It is also stated that a policy decision has been taken in more than 20 States across the country to implement HSRPs for all vehicles manufactured prior to 1.4.2019.
2. The provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Rules framed thereunder, and various orders, which have been referred to above, do not mandate affixation of HSRPs in those vehicles manufactured prior to 1.4.2019.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has passed an order in a public interest litigation filed by M.C.Mehta [M.C.Mehta v. Union of India and others; Order dated 27.1.2025 in WP(C) No.13029 of 1985] directing that in respect of the NCR States, the requirement of HSRPs should be made applicable even in respect of vehicles which have been manufactured prior to 1.4.2019.
4. The concern raised through this petition is that affixation of HSRPs is in public interest, as it helps in identifying the vehicle and preventing crime and other illegal/unwanted activities involving vehicles. It is submitted that since a policy decision has been taken by many States, the respondent State should also implement the same.
5. In the absence of any mandate of law and, particularly taking into consideration the scheme of the Motor Vehicles (High Security Registration Plates) Order, 2018, as also Rule 50(1)(V) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and the second proviso, making it optional to affix HSRPs on vehicles manufactured prior to 1.4.2019, no mandamus, as such, can be issued to the State to make it mandatory, more so when this pertains to the rule-making authority of the Central Government under the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules framed therein. As the law does not make it mandatory to affix HSRPs in respect of those vehicles manufactured prior to 1.4.2019, but it is only optional, the petitioner, if so advised, may represent the Central Government. Furthermore, option is available for owners of the vehicles manufactured before 1.4.2019 to have
HSRPs affixed in their vehicles.
Petition is, therefore, disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to approach the Central Government. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, interim application stands closed.
(MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)
28.11.2025
Index : Yes/No
Neutral Citation : Yes/No
sasi
To:
The Transport Commissioner,
State of Tamil Nadu, State Transport Department,
Ezhilagam Building, Chepauk.
THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE
AND G.ARUL MURUGAN,J.
(sasi)
W.P.No.45674 of 2025