The Lahore High Court (LHC) has mandated that Station House Officers (SHOs) across the state release the minor drivers who have been arrested across Punjab, which is a significant relief for them.
Before releasing any of these kids, LHC has placed a requirement on them: Give a personal pledge that they would not drive without a proper licence.
Judge Ali Zia Bajwa of the LHC gave the order during the trial of a petition that contested the Punjab Police’s choice to include the names of minor drivers in its criminal database.
Furthermore, LHC ordered the Criminal Record Office’s Superintendent of Police (SP) to furnish information on criminal histories connected to the First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged against minor drivers.
The SP acknowledged that they had issued FIRs against adolescent drivers for whom they had generated criminal records. In response to the official announcement, they said that the DIG IT had given them assurances that the police would not file criminal records for these minors.
Justice Bajwa pointed out during the hearing that there is legislation in place that deals with minor offences and allows SHOs to release those who are implicated in certain cases.
Furthermore, it was disclosed by Mustansar Feroze, the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), that over 1.4 million learner licences had been granted. In addition, police filed formal complaints (FIRs) against 7,000 underage drivers as part of the ongoing campaign. Nine thousand people were booked for driving without a licence, the CTO continued.
