Giving last opportunity to state governments to ensure tamper-free high security number plates in vehicles, the supreme court on Thursday directed them to implement the scheme within four weeks

In a clear warning to the state governments, a bench headed by chief justice S H Kapadia said contempt proceedings will be initiated against the state authorities without issuing any notice in case of non-compliance of the scheme within the time limit fixed by it.

The bench said no further time will be granted to put in force the scheme and directed the state authorities to file their affidavits on compliance of its order within four weeks.

The court passed the order on a PIL filed by chairman of All-India Anti-Terrorist Front M S Bitta seeking its direction to introduce tamper-proof number plates and licences for vehicles, contending that the present system is prone to misuse by anti-social elements.

He had contended that despite repeated orders from the apex court, the state governments have failed to introduce the scheme.

Agreeing with the petitioner, the court had said states should take immediate steps to implement the scheme.

The centre had issued notification regarding this in 2001 and the apex court in its various orders has repeatedly asked the authorities to implement the scheme.