India Legal News: Selling Helmets with Two Wheelers is Mandatory, Says SC

India legal news reports indicate that the Supreme Court on July 7, 2010 ruled that two-wheeler manufacturers will have to sell helmets along with the vehicles. Further, the headgears should be Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certified. The apex court passed the order on rejecting the plea of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), against an order of the High Court, pertaining to the matter.

India Legal News: Helmets Should be ISI Certified, Says SC

The High Court had earlier passed an order in July 2009, making it compulsory for the dealers to sell helmets along with the vehicles. It also specified that helmets should be ISI certified. Further, the court ruled that a customer shall buy a helmet, even when he already possesses one. The High Court’s order was challenged by SIAM, before the Supreme Court. Advocate P.S. Patwalia, who was representing SIAM, contended the order and said that the direction amounted to legislation.

However, while declining the petition, the Supreme Court Bench, said on a lighter note that “There is no harm in having more than one helmet. It comes handy in situations such as taking part in protests, dharnas or even defending oneself during a fight with wife.” Further, the court added that it would be improper to intervene in an order that was passed for public safety.

India Legal News: Reactions from Top Automobile Companies

India legal news reports on reactions from the top automobiles companies in India bring forth some interesting statements. Various two-wheelers manufacturers said that they will monitor the immediate impact of the ruling. The CEO of Bajaj Auto, S. Sridhar, said that it is too early to judge the affect of the order. He further, added that they have to still ensure procurement of helmet for the customers but he refused to confirm that whether Ba­jaj would introduce its own bra­nded helmets or not.

The director general of SIAM, Vishnu Mathur, said that the price of the two-wheelers will now include the cost of the helmet. Further, dispatching helmets along with vehicles from factories will impose an excise duty. For this, there will be a reasonable price hike and customer will have to pay for it.

Final Legal Take Away Tip: India legal news reports indicate the high number of road accidents that take place annually. One of the major causes of deaths by road accidents is attributed to head injuries, which can be prevented by using helmets and adhering to traffic rules.
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this is really cool, I like here!

Helmet Manufacturing Lobby must have paid some huge amount to the law making authority. Its as simple as that...! Why force a person to buy a new helmet with his two wheeler when he already posses one. AND IF THEY SO CONCERN WITH THE SAFETY OF THE RIDER THEN...WHY THEY WANT WOMEN TO DIE ON THE ROAD ( HELMET IS NOT MANDATORY FOR WOMEN ) Its real vague and funny ! But what to do ????? :((

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