Archive · 21 Nov 2025
Karnataka HC Orders Safety Measures for Minors on Two-Wheelers in 6 Months
The Karnataka High Court has told the state government to make sure that minors riding on two-wheelers have safety equipment like helmets and harnesses within the next 6 months.
This is because a lady named Dr. Archana Bhat asked the court to make the government follow a rule that says children should have these safety things.
The court said that even though they talked about this in 2023, not much has happened yet.
So, the government now has a deadline to keep children safe while they ride on two-wheelers.
Karnataka High Court (KHC) has given the state 6 months to implement safety measures for minors riding pillion on two-wheelers.
The order, passed by a bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Poonacha, disposes of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by Dr. Archana Bhat in 2023.
The petition sought the implementation of Rule 138(7) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, which mandates the use of child safety equipment, including helmets, for minors.
The court noted that despite a 2023 division bench observation by then Chief Justice N V Anjaria about the lack of safety equipment proportionate to the child population, no significant steps had been taken.
The court directed the state to ensure the availability of safety harnesses and helmets suitable for minors aged nine months and above.
- Who
- Karnataka High Court, Dr. Archana Bhat, Karnataka State Government
- What
- Ordered the implementation of safety measures for minors on two-wheelers
- When
- Wednesday, in a 6-month timeline
- Where
- Karnataka
- Why
- To ensure the safety of minors riding pillion on two-wheelers
- Rule
- Rule 138(7) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules
- Petitioner
- Dr. Archana Bhat
- Judges
- Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Poonacha
- Deadline
- 6 months from the order date
- Safety Equipment
- Helmets and safety harnesses suitable for minors aged 9 months and above
