Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 05 2009:
In an interim judgment, a division bench comprising Justice M Binoykumar and Justice AB Upadhyay of the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench has issued a notice of motion returnable within two weeks staying the Press Note issued by the Imphal West district senior SP, L Kailun on April 29 necessitating the wearing of helmet/protective head gear by two-wheeler riders and pillion riders.
The verdict was pronounced by the Court as per a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed before the Court against the Chief Secretary, Commissioner (Home), DGP and Imphal West district senior SP (listed as the respondents) by the Centre for Legal Advancement, Manipur represented by its vice-president Akham Kom as the petitioner.
The Petitioner prayed to quash the Press Note issued by the Senior SP of Imphal West district or to provide at least 60 days forprocuring helmets to the public and to pass an appropriate interim order in this regard.
The Petitioner was heard through his Counsel, Advocate K Pradeep.
Hearing the petition, the Court stayed the operation of the Press Note issued on April 29 by the Imphal west district senior SP and no action is to be taken in pursuance of the impugned Press Note till the returnable date.
Advocate Th Ibohal appeared on behalf of the state respondents and also accepts notice on behalf of all the state respondents.
It is pertinent to mention that the SP of Imphal West district, in a press note on April 29, said that the Imphal West district police will be conducting a special drive to enforce wearing of helmets in the city while expressing concern over the fatality of accidents occurring without helmets.
It also said that two wheeler rider/pillion rider found not wearing helmet/head gear will be fined and challan will be issued as per existing rate with immediate effect.