“Act of wheeling would definitely disturb the public order and tranquility,” says Court as it denies bail to habitual offender.
The Karnataka High Court has called upon the State government to introduce stringent legal provisions to curb the growing menace of ‘wheeling’—a dangerous stunt where riders balance motorcycles on the rear wheel. Justice V Srishananda made the strong observation while denying bail to a man accused of performing a wheelie with two pillion riders and subsequently clashing with police in October 2024.
The Court noted that existing laws are insufficient to effectively deter such behavior. At present, offenders can only be charged under provisions for negligent or reckless driving—offences that are bailable in nature.
“Existing statutory provisions are not adequate for enforcement agencies to effectively curb the menace of ‘wheeling.’ Perhaps, at the time of enacting the Motor Vehicles Act, legislators did not foresee or specifically contemplate that a two-wheeler would be driven on hind wheel alone,” the Court observed.
Highlighting the alarming rise in such incidents, the judge emphasized the need for legislative intervention:
“Taking note of the galloping trend and alarming rise in such incidents, it is now the bounded duty of the State and its law enforcement agencies to legislate necessary legal provisions and to take stringent measures to suppress the perilous activity.”
Justice Srishananda also pointed to the dangerous misconception among youth that wheelies are an act of bravado, stating:
“Needless to emphasize that wheeling not only result in endangering the life and safety of the rider or pillion rider but may as well pose serious threat to the general public at large. Thus, act of few unscrupulous and unmindful youth in indulging the wheeling would definitely disturb the public order and tranquility.”
The High Court made these remarks while denying bail to a man allegedly involved in a wheelie stunt on a Yamaha bike, which ended in a fall and a subsequent altercation with police. According to the prosecution, the accused verbally abused officers, caused them physical harm, and threw a police staff member’s phone into a canal. The man, described as a habitual offender, had earlier been denied bail by a sessions court.
The Court concluded that the filing of a charge sheet alone was not sufficient to warrant bail and noted that the petitioner may renew his request if circumstances change.
The judgment adds urgency to the conversation around road safety and youth behavior on Indian roads, urging policymakers to fill the legal vacuum around such life-threatening stunts.
Case: Arbaz Khan vs State of Karnataka – Available on LAWFYI.IO
