The legal tussle over the compulsory sale of helmets along with new two wheelers has come to an end with the Indian Supreme Court upholding the
verdict. The plea was initiated by SIAM to quash the law. While dismissing the petition, the bench read out the verdict that the manufacturers of two wheelers have to supply BSI certified helmets in its genuine status. The dispute started exactly a year ago, when the Delhi High Court pronounced its judgment favoring compulsory sale of helmets with the new motorcycles. It was even instructed that registration should not be made without this norm. SIAM countered that it would be a violation of buyer’s choice on helmets and it would recur additional expense when the buyers might have already got one.
The Supreme Court bench, unconvinced with the claim by SIAM, said that the buyers who may spend around Rs40000 for a new motorcycle need not bother about Rs300 for helmet. SIAM countered the validity that of the Motor Vehicles Act which states that helmet is for the person and not for the vehicle. Further, SIAM said the law would curtail the sale in open market and would boost the two wheeler dealers. However, the apex court put an end in the favor of the lower court.