Lawyers strike work over 50% pre-deposit for challan appeals

Lawyers across all seven district courts in Delhi abstained from work on Monday (September 22, 2026) in protest against changes to the traffic challan system, particularly the requirement to deposit 50% of the penalty before a person can approach a court.

The day-long protest was called by the Coordination Committee of all district court Bar Associations over amendments to Rule 167 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.

Advocates assembled at the district court complexes and raised slogans demanding that the Delhi government withdraw the amendment.

Under the revised mechanism, a person issued a challan can either accept it and make the payment or contest it through the prescribed portal before an authority designated by the state government. Such a challenge has to be filed within 45 days.

The lawyers have opposed the provision allowing a person to approach a competent court against an order of the designated authority only after making the mandatory pre-deposit.

The lawyers have also questioned the role given to the Executive in deciding a challenge before the matter can be taken to court, arguing that determining a dispute over a traffic violation is essentially a judicial function.

They said the mandatory pre-deposit could place an additional financial burden on those contesting a challan and potentially discourage them from seeking judicial redress.

The advocates also raised concerns about the digital nature of the new mechanism, pointing to difficulties it could create for people unfamiliar with online systems, including commercial and truck drivers.

They further contended that the procedure could leave limited opportunity for a person to place the circumstances surrounding an alleged traffic violation before approaching a court.

The district court Bar Associations flagged the amendments to Rule 167 in a circular issued on September 20, 2026.