Supreme Court Directs: Traffic Police Not Permitted to Seize Driver’s License, Bluebook, or Vehicle Key

April 30, Kathmandu – The Supreme Court has issued a directive prohibiting traffic police from seizing drivers’ permits (licenses), vehicle ownership certificates (bluebooks), and vehicle keys due to traffic violations. The joint bench of Justices Abdul Aziz Musalman and Shreekant Paudel declared such actions illegal and instructed the government to take corrective measures.

According to the Supreme Court ruling, traffic police forcibly taking possession of driving licenses, bluebooks, and vehicle keys amounts to an abuse of authority. Hearing a writ petition filed by law student Bibek Chaudhary, the court deemed these actions unlawful and issued a directive accordingly.

Under Section 164 of the Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 1992 (2049 BS), traffic police are authorized only to immediately fine drivers violating rules or, if the fine is unpaid, to issue a summons requiring the driver’s appearance within 24 hours, as stated in the Supreme Court order. The directive further clarifies that physical confiscation of documents is inappropriate, particularly given the government’s operation of the ‘Nagarik App’ system.