Puducherry: Lt Governor Kiran Bedi has taken strong exception to the stance taken by Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on the enforcement of the helmet rule for two-wheeler riders, and has said that the CM kept stalling the enforcement of the law.
The Lt Governor had initiated the campaign to ensure that two-wheeler riders wear helmets. Although the police department had announced the decision to enforce the helmet rule for two-wheeler riders from Monday, the Chief Minister reiterated his stance and said that the law had to be implemented in a phased manner which provoked the Lt Governor.
Citing the Supreme Court and Madras High Court judgments on the issue, Ms Bedi alleged that the Chief Minister was "abetting the crime as per the judgment of SC and the HC if he ordered a delay or issued orders to the contrary."
"As the Supreme Court as well as High Courts, including this Court directed the respondents to implement the provisions of the Act, non-wearing of helmet and resultant deaths would be deemed to be contempt committed by law enforcing agencies, apart from being guilty of abetment under Section 107 of IPC," pointed out Ms Bedi.
Ms Bedi alleged that the CM was obstructing the enforcement of the law each time. "Who does not know that wearing a helmet is in their interest? This enforcement has been obstructed by the CM since last year. Every time enforcement is tried the Chief Minister obstructs. While a scooterist dies every third day on the roads of Puducherry," Ms Bedi said in a WhatsApp message.
The Lt Governor said that the state was duty bound to safeguard the rights of the citizens by compelling them to wear helmets. "Mere imposition of fine for the violation has proved to be of no use. Therefore, the vehicle documents need to be impounded; the licence of the rider is required to be suspended and cancelled after enquiry and only then effective implementation is possible," she said.
"That apart, people need to be sensitized throughout India. The media needs to sensitize people through free advertisements," Ms Bedi added.
Adding to this, the Lt Governor along with police officers took to the campaign of road safety and was seen stopping motorists who did not wear helmets by herself. She was seen urging the people driving two-wheelers to wear helmets and follow the necessary traffic rules at Indira Gandhi's statue on Sunday.
