Delhi Police Hasn't Been Ordered To Seize Bikes For Helmetless Riding, But...: Govt To Lok Sabha

At present, a person riding a bike in Delhi without a helmet is liable to be fined Rs 1,000 and/or his licence may be disqualified for three months, but his bike cannot be seized.

Riding without helmet in Delhi can attract a penalty of Rs 1,000.

The Delhi Police has not been issued any directions to seize the vehicles of those who ride their two-wheelers without helmets at night, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai told Lok Sabha on Tuesday. He was responding to a question asked by Bholanath Saroj on whether "beat constables or officers of the Delhi Police had been directed to forcefully confiscate vehicles of those scooty/motorcycle riders at checking posts or roadside who are without helmets at night".

Rai said that the checking of vehicles during the night is done by cops in accordance with standing order No. L&O 23/2022 and Circular No. 4/2023 issued by Delhi Police.

On a question of whether the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued instructions to the Delhi Traffic police to challan vehicles not on red lights but halting away from red lights, particularly behind the trees near Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, creating a lot of inconvenience for the patients and visitors who are visiting hospitals and residences of public representatives, Rai said: "The offences related to traffic are dealt with under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the rules framed thereunder."

What Is the Penalty For Not Wearing Helmet?

At present, a person riding a bike in Delhi without a helmet is liable to be fined Rs 1,000 and/or his licence may be disqualified for three months. The act is classified as an offence under Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

According to the MV Act, the shape of the helmet and its build material must offer "maximum protection in an accident". Moreover, it is not enough to merely put on the protective headgear. The helmet should also be firmly secured to the driver's head with the straps provided by the manufacturer, to ensure that it does not come off in an accident, the Act states.

According to a video shared by the Delhi police on Monday, the penalty for triple-riding on a bike is Rs 1,000 and the fine for riding without a licence is Rs 5,000. Additionally, not having a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate [PUC] will attract a hefty fine of Rs 10,000 in Delhi.