A Sep 16, 2005 amendment of Rule 138 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, makes it compulsory for two-wheeler makers to supply a helmet manufactured as per specifications of the Bureau of Indian Standards with every two-wheeler sold.

The court was hearing a public interest petition filed by the NGO Society for Awareness and Development against deliberate inaction of the government in implementing the Sep 2005 amendment.

'Injuries and deaths occur as either riders do not wear helmets or wear faulty helmets. In Delhi alone, more than 2,000 accidents of two-wheelers were reported till November 2008 in that year,' the NGO said.