The High Court has ordered owners to renew the fitness certificates of their vehicles within two months.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam gave the order on Tuesday (Jul 23).

The court warned that should the authorities fail to renew the licenses between Aug 1 and Sep 30, the vehicles will be seized.

It also ordered the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) chairman and inspector general of police to submit a report on how much of the order has been followed through.

The court has also ordered for the directive to be circulated in the media.

Previously, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) filed a report with the HC saying that nearly 480,000 vehicles have not renewed their fitness certificate.

It also said that 39,837 cases have been filed against vehicles running without fitness and that BRTA collected fines worth over Tk 7.2 million.

The report said that 214 vehicles without fitness have been dumped and 728 drivers have been given jail terms.

On Jun 24, the HC had ordered detailed information on cars that haven’t renewed their fitness certificates and drivers who haven’t renewed their liscences.

It also asked the BRTA, what steps it has taken against the nearly 460,000 vehicles that hold a licence but haven’t renewed their fitness certificates.