HC notice to Maha govt, Bajaj Auto on safety gears for pillion rider

The Bombay High Court has sought the stands of Maharashtra government and two-wheeler major Bajaj Auto on a plea for strict implementation of a Supreme Court order to all two-wheeler manufacturers to equip their vehicles with safety gears for pillion riders.

A bench of justices S M Kemkar and M S Karnik sought the stands of the government and Bajaj Auto last week on a plea by an elderly Mumbaikar, Gyan Prakash seeking court's directions to two-wheeler manufacturers to install proper safety accessories like saree guards and hand grips for pillion riders.

Gyan Prakash, 71, had the moved the high court earlier this month for enforcement of the apex court's February judgement, saying that the government must be asked not to register any two-wheeler which does not conform to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 guidelines on safety gears for the pillion riders.

The relevant rule 123 provides for mandatory safety measures for pillion riders in the two wheelers before their roll out from factories.

The rule says "No motorcycle, which has provision for pillion rider, shall be built without provision for a permanent hand grip on the side or behind the driver's seat, a foot rest and a protective device covering not less than half of the rear wheel so as to prevent the clothes of the person sitting on the pillion from being entangled in the wheel."