HC seeks details of bikers challaned multiple times

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 4

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday directed the Chandigarh Administration to place before the Bench the details of offenders challaned multiple times for riding away from law in bikes with modified silencers.

As the matter came up for resumed hearing, the Division Bench of Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal and Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal also called for the details of the fine imposed on the offenders. The case will now come up on April 19 for further hearing.

The directions came just about a month after the Chandigarh Police were blamed for turning a deaf ear to noise pollution caused by bikers riding two-wheelers with modified silencers. 

The Bench, during the course of the hearing, was told that din-creating silencers were not manufactured in Chandigarh; and the offenders were also from Punjab and Haryana.       

The Administration also furnished before the court the details of challans issued to 39 offenders.     

The police, on the previous date of hearing, had apprised the court of their efforts by submitting an affidavit. Among other things, they said 778 challans were issued last year for noise pollution due to silencers and loud music. So far this year, 690 challans have been issued. No less than 71 motorcycles had also been impounded. The Bench was also told that mechanics and shopkeepers involved in modification of silencers in and around Chandigarh had been identified.

The developments took place on a petition against  bikers riding two-wheelers with silencers removed or modified. Taking up the petition filed in public interest against UT Administration and other respondents by Dr Bhavneet Goyal and other respondents, the High Court on the previous date of hearing had called for details of challans and impounding of vehicles.

  The petitioner, a Chandigarh resident, had earlier submitted before the High Court that the bikers were openly flouting traffic norms by removing or modifying bike silencers to produce a jarring noise. It was not only scaring passers-by, but also creating noise pollution. The petitioner also submitted that the modified bikes were further creating noise pollution by using pressure horns.