Gauhati High Court Directs Assam to Verify and Pay Vehicle Hire Dues for Law-and-Order Work

The Gauhati High Court has directed Assam authorities to verify a claim for unpaid charges relating to thirteen private vehicles hired for emergency and law-and-order duties and to release the amount found payable.

Background

The petitioner, Saranga Das, said his vehicles had been requisitioned on different occasions between 2022 and 2024. After their release, he submitted bills totalling approximately ₹82.91 lakh, but payment remained outstanding despite representations.

Court's reasoning

The State maintained that the claim could not be paid without verification and said several supporting documents were still required, including updated registration certificates, insurance papers, GST-3B forms, driving licences and declaration certificates.

Justice Devashis Barua did not determine the exact amount due in the writ proceedings. Instead, the Court directed the competent authorities to complete verification of the bills and documents and thereafter release any amount found legally payable.

Result and practical significance

The order provides an administrative route for resolution while preserving the State's ability to verify the claim rather than treating the entire invoiced amount as admitted.