The Supreme Court has directed all states and union territories to ensure that stolen and lost vehicles are expeditiously returned to the owners and insurers. <br/><br/>A bench of Justices P Sathasivam and Deepak Verma said in a judgement that non compliance of the orders would be dealt with an iron hand.<br/><br/> The apex court passed the direction on a petition filed by General Insurance Council, an umbrella organisation of insurance companies, which alleged crass negligence of the authorites and courts in ensuring return of the stolen and lost vehicles resulting in their decay or turning into junk. <br/><br/>They submitted that as a result, assets worth several hundred crores of rupees are lost. Agreeing with the council's view, the apex court said even a well-maintained vehicle loses its road worthiness if it is kept idle in the police station for more than fifteen days.<br/>