2 held for arguing with cops over helmet rule

V Sathyanarayanan (27) of Ice House and M Dayanidhi (28) of Triplicane, who were waiting at the Gandhi statue signal on a bike, were intercepted by the traffic enforcement inspector Swaminathan around 8 am as the pillion rider did not wear helmet. As they did not cooperate, the inspector tried to take the bike keys and an argument erupted between them. The duo allegedly abused the police personnel and tried to take a video on their phone.

On information, the Marina police rushed to the spot and secured the two. Later, they were arrested under the Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 506 (1) (criminal intimidation) of the IPC and remanded in judicial custody. Police said the duo were private firm employees and unnecessary created tension at the spot.

Traffic inspector Swaminathan told DT Next that he was only enforcing the law for the safety of motorists. “They questioned why we let off others as if I was targeting the duo. But little did they realise that we are only ensuring they don’t become victims in case if they meet with an accident,” he said.

It may be recalled that the Madras High Court had come down heavily on the city police on Thursday asking why the compulsory helmet rule for both riders and pillions could not be implemented as has been done in cities like Delhi and Bengaluru.