Breaks on lal battis: SC

The Supreme Court has ruled that only constitutional authorities-- President, Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, governors, the Chief Justice of India, Supreme Court judges and the heads of both houses of Parliament, are to be permitted ‘lal battis’ or red lights on their cars, the traditional symbol of power in India. The court also wants from state governments, lists of authorities that will be permitted use of such beacons. Such lists will not be bloated at the government’s discretion. Emergency vehicles and police jeeps shall be assigned blue flashing lights. The court’s ruling came on a Public Interest Litigation on the indiscriminate use of red beacons and sirens which often lead to huge traffic disruptions for commuters. The court had earlier labeled the misuse of beacons a “menace” on the roads.