‘Why do people go out without any work’: Lawyer’s comment on traffic jam puts NHAI in a rough spot
Indore, Jul 2 (PTI): The National Highways Authority of India on Wednesday distanced itself from a comment by its lawyer, who asked during the hearing of a PIL on a traffic jam why people travel needlessly.
In a video that went viral on social media, the woman lawyer representing the NHAI can be heard asking “why do people go out so early without any work” during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL).
The NHAI, a central authority to develop, maintain and manage the national highways in the country, issued a clarification after the lawyer’s remark triggered criticism.
“In reference to news regarding remark made by an advocate representing NHAI during the hearing of PIL about traffic jam on 30 June 2025 in High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Indore Bench, it is hereby clarified that the remark by advocate does not represent official version of NHAI.
“The remark from the advocate was made without any authorization from NHAI. Accordingly, a show-cause notice has been served to the advocate,” it said on X on Wednesday.
The PIL has been filed concerning a massive traffic jam for about 50 hours on the Indore-Dewas section of the Agra-Mumbai National Highway between June 25 and June 27.
“... just now there was a (traffic) jam in Ujjain. Why do people go out in such a hurry without any work,” the woman lawyer of NHAI can be heard saying in the video during the hearing of the PIL in the HC on June 30.
Several social media users shared the clip to claim that the public faced problems due to the severe traffic jam.
NHAI Project Director Praveen Yadav called the woman lawyer’s comments her “personal opinion”.
Yadav said there is no mention of her alleged comment in the HC’s order on June 30 on the PIL.
He said, “NHAI works only for the convenience of the public. A flyover is being built on the Indore-Dewas section of the National Highway. This will provide convenience to the common people and make their journey safe.”
Anand Adhikari, a lawyer from Dewas, has filed the PIL. The HC subsequently issued notices to the NHAI, the Centre, Indore administration and police, seeking their responses.
The HC also directed to include a private company constructing a road between Indore and Dewas on the national highway in the list of respondents.
The PIL pleaded that the construction work underway on the Indore-Dewas section of the national highway should be completed under the supervision of the HC so that the accountability of the respondents can be fixed.
The traffic jam caused widespread anger among commuters, prompting authorities to take action and improve vehicular movement between Indore and Dewas.
Vijay Panchal, a resident of the Bijalpur area of Indore, had claimed that his 65-year-old father, Kamal Panchal, died of a heart attack when his car got stuck in the massive jam.
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Parag fined 25 percent of match fees for vaping incident, BCCI exploring 'stringent action' on RR
New Delhi (PTI): Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was on Thursday fined 25 per cent of his match fee for bringing the game into "disrepute" after being caught vaping on camera during the IPL game against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
Parag's actions during the Royals' chase on Tuesday night drew condemnation on social media.
PTI has learned that on field umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon had not reported the matter to match referee Amit Sharma right after the game. They only did that after seeing visual proof and Sharma found Parag guilty for a code of conduct breach as per the IPL guidelines.
The Level 1 offence carries 25 per cent deduction from match fees and one demerit point.
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"Riyan admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by the Match Referee, Amit Sharma," said the IPL in a statement.
"The BCCI is also exploring other options to initiate proceedings for stringent action against the erring team, its officials and players to ensure that the reputation of IPL remains intact," the statement added.
When PTI reached out to BCCI secretary Devajit Saika on possible action on Rajasthan Royals, he said: "As it is written clearly in the statement, we are exploring what action to take on the team. It is not decided yet."
The Indian government had banned e-cigarettes back in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale and distribution. As per the law, the offender faces imprisonment up to one year and/or a Rs one lakh fine for a first time offence.
"Article 2.21 of IPL Code of Conduct is intended to cover all types of conduct that bring the game into disrepute and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in this Code of Conduct, including Article 2.20," the IPL Code of Conduct states.
"By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.
"When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered.
"Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 Offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 Offence)."
Since it is a Level 1 offence there was no need for a hearing.
Parag, who has not had the best of times with the bat this IPL, was seen inhaling an e-cigarette, also known as vaping, in the dressing room during the live broadcast of their game against Punjab Kings. Royals won the game to end Kings' unbeaten run in the tournament.
This is not the first controversy to hit the Royals this season. Earlier this month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs one lakh for breaching PMOA protocol after being found using his phone in the dugout.
IPL and BCCI officials involved in the conduct of the IPL termed it as a careless act in the age of social media and prying TV cameras.
Royals next host Delhi Capitals in Jaipur on Friday night.
