Sikh motorcyclists, whether male or female, who wear turbans are the only ones allowed to skip wearing helmets, according to the P&H High Court.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court made it clear that Sikh individuals do not need to wear helmets while riding motorcycles, but this only applies if they are wearing a turban. The court took notice of safety concerns for women riding motorcycles, especially regarding Sikh women who may not wear turbans and their helmet exemption. A Division Bench, led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal, reviewed a 2022 change to Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act. The court stated that only Sikh individuals wearing a turban are exempt from the helmet requirement; others must wear headgear that meets government standards when riding in public.

The court’s decision highlighted that the helmet exemption is specifically for Sikh individuals with turbans, as stated in the 2022 amendment. The High Court also instructed authorities in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh to report on the number of traffic fines issued to women riding motorcycles without helmets.

Cause Title: Court on its own motion v. Chandigarh Administration & Ors.