HC rejects PIL on making helmets necessary for women

The Delhi High Court today refused to entertain a PIL seeking rules for making wering of helmets mandatory for women two-wheeler riders in the city.
"We dismiss the petition," a bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said.
The PIL was filed by Ulhas P R, a documentary filmmaker, in pursuance of an earlier direction of a single judge bench in a similar case that he should file a separate plea challenging a provision of the Delhi Motor Vehicle (DMV) rule that exempts women from wearing helmets.
The bench, also comprising Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw, did not seem convinced with the submissions and rejected the PIL.

Ulhas, who has been pursing the cause, had earlier filed a plea in which Delhi government was asked to consider amending the law for ensuring safety of women.
As no favourable decision was taken by the then Delhi government, a contempt plea was filed.

The single judge bench considered the plea of Delhi government that it cannot change the rules as the move was "being objected to by Sikh women".
The court had then disposed of the contempt plea and advised Ulhas to file a fresh plea challenging the rules.
Justice Sudershan Misra had declined to initiate any contempt proceedings against the officers of the Transport Department and accepted the state government's affidavit which said "law exempting women two-wheeler riders from wearing helmets in the city would remain in force as any change is being objected to by Sikh women."

"It was found that the objection is from Sikh women....In the said discussion (in the office of Chief Secretary with Lt Governor) on March 20, 2012), the issue of wearing of helmets by the women was discussed inter alia policy for making use of helmet compulsory for women," government had said.
The fresh plea against a provision of the Delhi Motor Vehcile Rules was today rejected.