JUDGMENT

G.P. Mathur, J.-The challenge in these Writ Petitions and Transfer Cases is to certain clauses in the Motor Vehicles (New High Security Vehicle Registration Plates) Order, 2001 issued by the Central Government and also to some conditions imposed in the Notice Inviting Tenders issued by various State Governments for supply of High Security Registration Plates. Writ Petition No. 41 of 2003 shall be treated as leading case.

2. It will be convenient to give the background under which the State Governments issued the Notice Inviting Tenders (for short NITs) for supply of High Security Vehicle Registration Plates (for short HSVRP). Section 2(28) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (for short the Act ) defines "motor vehicle" or "vehicle". Section 2(32) defines "prescribed" and it means prescribed by rules made under the Act. Section 39 of the Act lays down that no person shall drive any motor vehicle and no owner of a motor vehicle shall cause or permit the vehicle to be driven in any public place or in any other place unless the vehicle is registered in accordance with Chapter IV and the vehicle carries a registration mark displayed in the prescribed manner. Section 41 of the Act de