HC ask authorities to give attention on curbing traffic menace

Chennai, Feb 21 (PTI) A Division Bench of the Madras HighCourt today asked Commissioner of Police and ChennaiCorporation Commissioner to give attention to curbe ''bus daycelebration'', bike races and enfore helment wearing rulestrictly.

Division Bench comprising Justices D Murugesan and BRajendran, gave the order while hearing a contempt petitionfiled by A Arputharaj, president, Sri Gajalakshmi Colonoy SlumWelfare association, for not following certain guidelines setout by the court while granting permission for public meetingsin Aminjikari near here.

Commissioner of Police T Rajendran and former Commissionerof Chennai Corporation Rajesh Lakhoni appeared before thecourt while hearing the matter by the court.

Justice Murugesan, who presided over the bench asked theofficers why no action was taken against bus day celebrationsbeing celebrated by college students of the city.

Due to the celebrations the city traffic as well as publicwere affected, he said.

To a question whether helmet wearing rule was strictlyenforced, Government pleader Raja Kalifullah said police haveregistered 2.5 lakh cases against traffic violaters in thecity.

Expressing serious concern about bike races conducted inthe city during peak hours, the Judge told the policeCommissioner that "as you are appearing before the court weare taking up the opportunity to bring all our concerns.

Please bring those involved in this before the court".

The bench posted the matter to March 11 for further hearing.