An eight-year-old law urging the Government to keep a sharp eye while selecting manufacturers for high-security number plates — touted as an effective measure to counter terror acts and vehicle thefts — to avoid "national security risks" has got a word of support from the Delhi HC. "There is an uncompromising need for maintaining security in manufacturing numbe rplates," a Bench observed recently.

"It would be worthless to have a pilfer-proof number plate if illegal ones are available in the underground market... the entire project will be jeopardised and rendered ineffectual," the court said.

The Clause 4 of the Motor Vehicles (New High Security Registration Plates) Order, 2001 restrains the Government from selecting manufacturers "associated" with organised crime syndicate or "detained" under the National Security Act 1980, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 and declared "unlawful" as per the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967. The legal provision bars individuals found guilty of economic crimes by the SEBI.

The Bench made these observations on December 19, dismissing a petition by Zodiac.Com Solutions, a company earlier penalised under the SEBI Act, challenging clause 4 of the 2001 Order.

The HC compliments the SC’s efforts by observing that the purpose of tamper-proof plates will be fulfilled if a high level of security is imposed at the initial stage of choosing a manufacturer.