HC directs ACP Wankhede to tender written apology

Aurangabad, May 6:

Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court comprising Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice B U Debadwar on Thursday directed the assistant commissioner of police (ACP)-traffic Suresh Wankhede to tender a written apology for not following its orders about making help helmet compulsory for two-wheelers riders.

The court gave the above directives during the online hearing held today about suo motu petition on required medical facilities for COVID patients. The special hearing on the petition has been placed at 11 am, on May 7.

The HC observed that its orders given in the hearing of d May 3, 2021 about wearing a helmet and mask and carrying ‘Aadhar Card’ are not being implemented properly.

The court also sought information about cases filed against violators of helmet and mask norms.

The ACB Wankhede issued a press note on May 4 stating action would be taken from May 6 against those riders and pillion riders who would not wear a helmet.

However, later it was announced the drive would be implemented from May 16 instead of May 5.

News items were published in newspapers on May 5. The court took notice and gave the above directives.

Adv Satyajit Bora was present as Amicus curiae (friend of the court), chief Government pleader D R Kale Government representative, adv Santosh Chapalgaonkar appeared for Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, adv Radhakrishna Hingole for Nanded Municipal Corporation, adv Dhananjay Shinde for Parbhani Municipal Corporation.