Perjury charge threat on anti-quadricycle petitioners

The Qute's launch in the domestic market got stalled after a series of petitions

Perjury proceedings might be initiated against petitioners against the launch of quadricycles in the country in the ongoing case in this regard, if an affidavit filed by them proved unsatisfactory, the Supreme Court observed last week.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the government in defending the introduction of quadricycles, said the Tyagi committee report was annexed by various petitioners (auto drivers associations) but did not tally with the report available with the government.

Further the Ambuj Sharma committee report presented twice before the SC by the petitioners had differed. "The petitioners have attempted to not only fabricate the documents but also use these in judicial proceedings," he'd told the judges.  

WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT

• A quadricycle is a commercial four-seater, four-wheeler
   
• Operated as a taxi for intra-city use
   
• Aimed at replacing the existing three-wheelers in cities
   
• Launch of Bajaj Auto’s quadricycle, the Qute, got stalled after a series of petitions
   
• Majority petitioners are auto drivers associations
   
• Tyagi committee report was annexed by various petitioners, but did not tally with the report available with the government

Counsels for the auto drivers association said they'd investigate the matter at their end and revert. The SC has directed the petitioners to file the affidavit within six weeks, explaining the discrepancies in both the reports.  

The apex court had also directed Rohatgi to file attested true copies of the Tyagi and Sharma panels in a week. It has also directed the registrar to compare the attested true copies with those filed by the petitioners and give a report on the nature and extent of variance.

After taking into consideration the Tyagi report and inputs from various stakeholders, the government amended the Motor Vehicles Act, inserting a new sub-category of motor vehicles called quadricycles. Pune-based Bajaj Auto had intended to launch its quadricycle, the Qute, in the domestic market but this got stalled after a series of petitions.

A quadricycle is a commercial four-seater, four-wheeler, slated to operated as a taxi for intra-city use. Built on certain parameters, the vehicle is aimed at replacing the existing three-wheelers in cities.