The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the state government to act on the Delhi High Court observations on implementation of section 158 (6) of Motor Vehicles Act.

The section provides various procedures that need to be initiated, especially by the police, in case of motor accidents so that the victims can be spared long delays in securing claims from insurance companies.

Taking suo-motu notice of the Delhi HC observations, the court observed that the section has not been enforced even though it has been in existence since 1993. The section makes it obligatory for the state police to register an FIR the moment an accident case is reported. The police are supposed to prepare a report and forward it to the Maharashtra Accidents Claim Tribunal, the magistrate concerned and the parties involved to do away with the tedious task of filing for claims.

“The whole concept of filing claims is gone,” division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice A M Khanwilkar noted.

The court, however, made it clear that the criminal proceedings will go on as the purpose is to only expedite the compensation. The court cautioned that if the police don’t act the court will enforce the rule next week.

The court has directed Advocate General Ravi Kadam to hold a meeting with the DGP, police commissioner, ASG, home secretary, transport commissioner and principal secretary, law and order, and prepare a report detailing how the provision will be enforced within two weeks.