CHANDIGARH, May 26 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court has widened the scope of its inquiry into the unregulated use of bulletproof vehicles, asking the Chief Secretaries of Haryana and Chandigarh to submit affidavits on whether any policy exists governing the manufacture, sale, or purchase of such protective gear.
Justice Kuldeep Tiwari issued the directions while reviewing an affidavit filed by the Punjab Chief Secretary, who informed the court that a committee had been formed on April 28 to draft a comprehensive and enforceable policy on the matter.
“The issue raises a matter of grave public concern and cannot remain confined to Punjab alone,” observed Justice Tiwari, directing Haryana and Chandigarh to clarify if relevant laws or amendments are in place.
The court has also asked the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to inform whether there exists any policy on modification of motor vehicles into bulletproof variants. All parties are expected to submit their responses before the next hearing, scheduled for August 28.
The case stems from an earlier petition involving the illegal use of a bulletproof SUV by an alleged “A-category” gangster facing nearly 41 criminal cases. The petition was filed by the vehicle’s registered owner, who alleged that the SUV had been in police custody since September 8, 2024, and later used by his son—the alleged gangster—after bulletproof modification.
In a prior hearing, the court rebuked the Punjab Government, describing the matter as a “shocking state of affairs.” The bench had also directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to examine the issue personally and file an affidavit on actions taken based on suggestions from the Director General of Police.
“The case at hand is an eye-opener… such a notorious gangster was, in order to run his empire of illegal activities, allowed to use the bulletproof vehicle in question,” Justice Tiwari had previously noted, stressing the need for systemic safeguards.
The latest directions are aimed at addressing the regulatory vacuum around protective vehicle modifications across state and central jurisdictions.
Read more: Punjab Sets Up Panel to Regulate Bulletproofing of Private Vehicles
