Gujarat High Court directs its officials commuting to court on two-wheelers to wear helmets

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday issued a directive to ensure that all High Court staff wear helmets while commuting on two-wheelers to the court.

In a circular signed off by its Registrar General, the High Court has warned that such court officials will not be permitted to enter the High Court premises without wearing helmets.

Besides drivers, even the pillion-riders on two-wheelers should wear helmets while commuting, the circular added.

"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 October 8 circular said.

The directive was issued on instructions by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal.

Notably, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the lack of proper traffic management in Ahmedabad, a Bench led by the Chief Justice had recently lamented that people on two-wheeler vehicles do not bother to wear helmets.

The circular states that the direction to wear helmets has been issued for the safety of High Court officials and in line with the requirements of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Further, it is stated that non-compliance with this directive will be viewed seriously and may invite administrative action.

[Read Circular]