Asking the Central and state govts to consider changes in the Motor Vehicles Act, Kerala HC has suggested for ban on sari for pillion riders. The judgment has come in the hearing of suit for compensation filed by Susamma Thomas of Kollam district. In the case the court held that women riding pillion in a sari was dangerous as its loose end could get entangled in the wheels.

 

The bench of Justice C N Ramachandran Nair and Justice V K Mohanan was hearing the case. According to observation of the bench sari would make it difficult for women to sit astride on the rear. The court expressed that looking into road safety, it is better for women to sit with their legs on either side while riding pillion on two wheelers.

 

Also, the bench has asked motorcycle manufacturers to provide handgrips behind the driver seat and footrests for the passenger sitting behind. The two judge bench of the Kerala HC decided that there was no scheme whereby insurance coverage could be provided to a pillion rider.