Bengaluru:  The Karnataka High Court on June 12 has permitted the State Government to decide on extending the deadline for affixing High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) on vehicles.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice K.V. Aravind issued an order modifying the earlier order passed by a Vacation Division Bench on May 21, 2024. The Bench directed the Government to present its decision before the Court.

Additionally, the Court extended the order restraining the Government from taking any precipitative action in the matter until the next hearing.

The State Government informed the Court that it is considering extending the HSRP deadline until September. Following this submission, the Bench granted the Government permission to issue a notification for the deadline extension by modifying its May 21 interim order, which had directed that “the State would not take any further precipitative steps/action/decision in the matter relating to and regarding fixation of HSRP to vehicles till June 12.”

While allowing the Government to make a decision and issue a notification for the deadline extension, the Bench instructed it not to take any further precipitative action.

The Government issued the initial notification on Aug. 17, 2023, regarding the affixing of HSRPs and has extended the deadline twice. The most recent extension (May 31, 2024) was based on the notification issued on Feb. 16, 2024.

The HSRP Manufacturers’ Association of India and others challenged the Transport Department’s decision to entrust the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) with affixing the HSRP and authorising manufacturers to support the implementation, similar to the statutory procedure adopted for new vehicles.