The Delhi government’s proposed traffic challan amnesty scheme, aimed at settling lakhs of pending fines, has been stalled due to legal complications. Following prolonged discussions in the cabinet, the proposal has now been referred to the Law Department for a detailed legal examination before being redrafted.
Officials confirmed that the delay stems from multiple court cases filed by individuals challenging their traffic fines. As several challans are currently under judicial consideration, the government cannot waive them without formal permission from the courts.
Cabinet Sends Proposal for Legal Review
After extensive deliberation, the cabinet directed the Law Department to study the legal aspects and explore alternative frameworks for introducing the amnesty scheme. The department has been asked to prepare a fresh draft proposal that complies with judicial guidelines and ensures that any waiver of challans does not violate ongoing legal proceedings.
A senior transport official said the government intends to find “a legally sustainable way” to offer relief to motorists, particularly for older challans, without undermining existing legal or administrative systems.
Proposal Initially Aimed to Waive Old Pending Fines
The Transport Department had initially proposed to waive fines related to old or minor traffic violations. However, officials clarified that cases currently sub judice cannot be directly waived or reduced without judicial approval. Granting blanket relief, they said, could raise serious administrative and legal questions.
The amnesty plan, first drafted in October, was designed to clear years of backlog and bring financial and procedural closure to millions of challans pending in the system.
Crores of Challans Remain Unpaid in Delhi
According to official data, Delhi has over 2.46 crore unpaid traffic challans, many dating back several years. Between January 1 and July 31, 2025, traffic police issued 22.4 lakh challans, of which only 2% were paid. Authorities said the government’s intention behind the amnesty proposal was to ease the burden on citizens and streamline enforcement records.
However, both the Traffic Police and the Law Department have indicated that a comprehensive legal framework will be essential before any such waiver is implemented.
Government Seeks Legally Sound Resolution
The Delhi government maintains that it remains committed to providing relief to citizens but must adhere to due legal process. Officials are now examining whether selective relaxation — such as waiving administrative penalties on older challans not contested in court — can be introduced under existing laws.
A final draft of the revised proposal is expected to be prepared after consultation between the Transport, Law, and Home Departments. The amnesty plan, once cleared legally, could offer significant relief to lakhs of vehicle owners in the national capital.
