New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the operation of the Karnataka High Court order making it mandatory for all transport vehicles in the state to be fitted with speed governors.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan passed its interim order on the petition moved by the Association of Commercial Vehicle Operators, Karnataka, challenging the High Court judgement.

Senior advocate P P Rao, who mentioned the Association's petition before the Bench, also comprising Justices R V Raveendran and J M Panchal, said the High Court came out with the judgement when the issue of speed limit was pending before a committee constituted by the Centre.

He said the High Court should have waited for the recommendation of the committee before pronouncing the verdict.

The February 12 verdict of the High Court had evoked sharp reactions from several quarters in the state with commercial vehicles going off the road as part of a strike by operators.

The High Court had directed the state government to ensure that all commercial vehicles plying in the state be fitted with speed-controlling device by June 30.

The High Court had passed its direction on a PIL which had sought staying of two notifications issued on June 29, 2007 and January 22, 2008 extending the time for old vehicles, particularly goods carriers, to be fitted with the device.