Unauthorized use of red revolving lights on the top of vehicles has become rampant in Tirupur district in violation of State government directive and High Court orders on use of such beacons.
Official sources told The Hindu that as per the Home Department circular, only 19 persons were entitled to use such lights which include Governor, Chief Minister, Ministers, Mayors, Chief Justice and judges of High Court, Director General of Police (Law and Order), Superintendents of Police, escort and pilot vehicles, Nawab of Arcot, and State Election Commissioner, among a few others.
In Tirupur, only Superintendent of Police, Collector and Corporation Mayor as far as Tirupur district were entitled to use such beacons.
However, it has been found that the official vehicles of even Project Officer of District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), District Revenue Officer, Revenue Divisional Officers of various revenue divisions in the district, some elected representatives of rural civic bodies and cars used for visiting officials, were among those fitted with the red lights against the rules.
In 2011, the Madras High Court observed that unauthorized use of red beacons on top of vehicles was causing serious concern from the security angle as policemen were seen allowing such vehicles to pass through without checking who was inside.
Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Singh told The Hindu that explanation would be sought immediately from those people in Tirupur district, who were making unauthorised use of such red lights.
