Kerala High Court orders photographs and videos of illegal vehicle modifications to be uploaded on the e-DAR portal
15 October 2026
A Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. passed directions in the High Court's suo motu road safety case, Suo Motu v. Union of India and Others, reported as 2026:IO:KER:14.
The Transport Commissioner, through the Deputy Transport Commissioners, must ensure that inspecting officers upload modification details of accident vehicles, with photographs and videos, on the e-DAR portal.
The uploads must cover bodywork that violates safety standards and raises the risk or seriousness of injury to a person struck by a vehicle, an offence punishable under Section 182A(4) of the Motor Vehicles Act.
They must also record unauthorised alterations that increase engine horsepower or performance and any change to the braking system fitted by the manufacturer.
The State Police Chief must ensure that the police comply strictly.
Because photographs visible on e-DAR were not appearing on printed accident inspection reports, the Court suo motu impleaded the Deputy Director General of the National Informatics Centre as an additional respondent.
The matter is listed again on 28 October 2026.
In plain words
e-DAR electronic Detailed Accident Report — A national portal on which road accident details are recorded by police and transport officers.
Suo motu On its own motion — A case a court takes up by itself without anyone filing a petition.
NIC National Informatics Centre — The Union Government body that builds and runs government software platforms.