CHANDIGARH, May 17: In response to concerns raised by the Punjab and Haryana High Court over the unregulated use of bulletproof vehicles by gangsters, the Punjab government has constituted a committee to draft rules and establish a licensing framework for making private vehicles bulletproof.
The state’s Chief Secretary informed the High Court through a formal notification that a committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the Additional Secretary of the Home Department. The panel includes senior officials such as the ADGP (Security), ADGP (Intelligence), the Secretaries of the Transport and Industries Departments, Punjab’s Legal Advisor, and an expert on the subject.
The move comes after a case involving a gangster from Hoshiarpur using a bulletproof car came to light. The High Court took cognizance of the matter and questioned the state’s legal and regulatory framework governing such vehicles.
“How are gangsters managing to use bulletproof vehicles? Is there any policy or licensing process in place?” the bench had asked while seeking a detailed reply from the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP).
In the official response, the Chief Secretary acknowledged the absence of any existing rules or provisions for licensing private vehicles to be converted into bulletproof variants. However, he assured the court that the state is now taking corrective steps.
“A committee has been constituted to study the matter. Once it submits its recommendations, appropriate regulations will be framed and action will follow,” the Chief Secretary said in the court filing.
The High Court is expected to review the state’s progress in the coming hearings.
