KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has expressed serious resentment over the alarming number of road accidents of teenagers and directed the inspector general of police (IGP) and DIG-traffic to take steps to prevent underage bikers from coming on the roads.

A single-judge bench headed by Justice Aftab Ahmed Gorar asked the officials to hold a campaign across the province, particularly in the provincial metropolis, issuing warning to the parents of underage bikers that they would be held responsible if their kids were found on the roads riding bikes/motorcycles.

The bench issued these directives while passing an order on the pre-arrest bail applications of two teenagers in a case pertaining to the death of another teenager in bike racing a few months ago.

The police had booked the suspects under Section 320 (unintentional murder for rash negligent driving) of the Pakistan Penal Code at Sharea Faisal police station on the complaint of the victim’s father.

SHC grants pre-arrest bail to two underage bikers booked for manslaughter

The bench confirmed the interim pre-arrest bail of the applicants on the ground that reasonable doubt was raised about their participation and it needed a further inquiry in terms of Section 497 (2) of the criminal procedure code.

However, the court in its order noted that the alarming number of cases of fatal road accidents involving teenagers caused widespread concerns calling for effective intervention of the departments concerned.

The bench said that the teenagers who did not know how to safely operate a motorcycle could end up injuring themselves fatally and also causing serious injuries to other people.

Since teenagers’ accidents and especially fatal wrecks are increasing day by day in the city, it is important to consider the pros and cons of allowing the teenagers to ride motorcycles on the roads, it added.

The bench directed the IGP and the DIG-traffic to take thoughtful measures to stop such activities by circulating directives to their subordinates/SSPs/SHOs deputed in the entire Sindh province, particularly in Karachi.

It said they must in the first instance conduct campaigns in their respective areas issuing warning that parents of teenage bike riders would be held accountable in case any of their children were found on the roads riding motorcycles and the vehicles would also be seized.

Seizing the vehicles and booking the parents can help focus on safety of children and keep everyone in the know with an expectation that parents will take appropriate action to prevent minors from repeating the offence, which puts lives at risk, it further added.

The bench directed its office to facsimile the copy of the order to the provincial home secretary, IG Sindh as well as DIG of traffic police for compliance.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2021