Kolkata, April 27: The Kolkata High Court has made slight modifications to its previous order regarding the ban on motorcycle use during the West Bengal Assembly elections. This adjustment comes just before the second and final phase of voting.
A division bench comprising Justice Shampa Sarkar and Justice Ajay Kumar Gupta ruled that not only motorcycle rallies but also group riding on two-wheelers will be prohibited on the voting day and for two days prior. The ban on group motorcycle riding will be in effect from April 27 to April 29.
This decision follows an appeal filed against the single-judge bench’s order by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). The earlier ruling by Justice Krishna Rao had stated that the Election Commission of India (ECI) could not impose a complete ban on motorcycle use in the name of conducting free and fair elections. The CEO’s notification, which effectively restricted motorcycle use from 6 PM to 6 AM on the days leading up to the election, was annulled.
The court found that while it was reasonable for the Election Commission to impose restrictions on motorcycle rallies to prevent violence, a total ban on motorcycle movement lacked legal justification and disproportionately affected professionals who rely on two-wheelers for daily commuting. The single-judge bench had allowed certain restrictions, including a ban on motorcycle rallies two days before voting, limits on carrying passengers on motorcycles 12 hours before voting (with exceptions for emergencies), and regulated use of motorcycles for voting and essential tasks on election day. Service providers, such as delivery personnel and those with valid identification, were also granted exemptions.
During the hearing of the Chief Minister’s appeal, the division bench stated that limited modifications to the previous directives were necessary to ensure safety and peaceful voting. The court ordered that any form of motorcycle rally or group riding would be prohibited on the voting day and the two days leading up to it. No changes were made to the remaining parts of the single-judge’s order.
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My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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