Gujarat High Court Directs Court Officers, Staff Riding Two Wheelers To Mandatorily Wear Helmet
The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday (October 8) issued a circular directing that all officers and staff members riding two-wheelers, whether as drivers or pillion riders, shall wear protective headgear–helmet, in compliance with safety standards outlined in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The above directive came in light of the observations made by the division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi in various orders passed by it in Writ Petition (PIL) No. 43/2024 and Writ Petition (PIL) No. 50/2024.
While hearing the matters on September 27–one of which is a suo motu PIL pertaining to traffic congestion and its management in Ahmedabad–the court had in an interim direction, ordered the authorities to ensure strict implementation of the 'Helmet Rule' in respect of two wheeler riders and repair potholes on roads in view of the upcoming Navratri festival.
The circular meanwhile reads, “In view of the observations made by the Honourable Division Bench of this High Court...and the provisions of Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 read with Rule 193 of Gujarat Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and considering the safety of the Officers and Staff members of this High Court, Hon'ble the Chief Justice has been pleased to direct that every Officer and Staff member driving two wheeler and /or pillion rider shall wear protective Headgear i.e. Helmet confirming the standards as prescribed in the aforesaid Act, henceforth.”
“The Officers and Staff members who are commuting to the High Court on two wheeler as rider and/or pillion rider shall not be permitted to enter into the premises of the High Court from any/all of the entry gates, without wearing the Helmet,” the circular further read.