RTOs, ARTOs designated as executive magistrates in J&K

Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir Government has empowered all Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) and Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) to act as Executive Magistrates within their respective jurisdictions.

As per a government notification issued by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, a copy of which has been accessed by the news agency the decision has been taken under sub-section (1) of Section 14 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).

The order further authorizes these officers to exercise the powers of Executive Magistrates “as prescribed under the provisions of BNSS, until further orders.”

The order says, the move aims to strengthen enforcement of transport and road safety laws across Jammu and Kashmir by enabling RTOs and ARTOs to take magisterial action on violations within their jurisdictions—(KNO)