Modified silencers to cost you dear

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 19

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday made it clear that repeat offenders riding away from traffic rules on bikes with modified silencers were required to be burdened with a minimum fine of Rs 1,000. The maximum fine could go up to Rs 2,000.

Taking up a petition filed in public interest on the issue, a Division Bench of the High Court asserted that the bang-bang sound made by modified silencers was being heard again after remaining suppressed for a few days. The Bench added this was the only reason why the matter was not being disposed of.

The Bench, during the course of the hearing, was told that the fine for first-time offenders was up to Rs 1,000 and the amount depended upon the discretion of the District Courts.

The Bench had earlier directed the Chandigarh Administration to place before it the details of offenders challaned multiple times for riding with modified silencers.

The Bench of Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal and Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal had also called for details of the fine imposed on the offenders.

The directions came just about a month after the Chandigarh Police was 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 a previous date of hearing, had apprised the court of its efforts by submitting an affidavit. Among other things, it said 778 challans were issued last year for noise pollution due to silencers and loud music. So far this year, 690 challans had 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 the 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 court that the bikers were openly flouting traffic norms.