The Madhya Pradesh Petroleum Dealers’ Association has announced its decision to move the High Court against the sealing of petrol pumps by district administrations for not enforcing the ‘No Helmet, No Petrol’ rule. So far, around five petrol pumps across the city have been sealed, sparking strong protests from fuel dealers who argue that the punishment is excessive, arbitrary and beyond their authority. The most recent action was taken against the SH Petrol Pump, located near Model Ground, Shahjahanabad, and operated under Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). A joint team from the district administration and the Food Control Department sealed the pump, citing multiple violations.

 

These included failure to comply with the helmet rule, dirt contamination in the underground storage tanks, and overpricing, with petrol reportedly being sold at Rs 120 per litre against the official rate of Rs 106. Reacting strongly, Association President Ajay Singh criticised the administration’s approach, saying, “Sealing is the maximum punishment under the law and is meant for repeat offences. But in these cases, pumps are being sealed on the first instance, without any prior warning or opportunity to correct the issue.” He further questioned the logic of expecting petrol pump staff to enforce traffic rules. “Those riding without helmets aren’t afraid of police on the roads, how can they be expected to fear fuel station workers who have no legal authority or power to penalise them?” Singh said. The association also claims it had already proposed a more practical and co-operative approach to the authorities. “

 

We had suggested that instead of penalising us using our own CCTV footage, the administration should use that footage themselves to identify without helmet riders, track their vehicle numbers, and issue e-challans directly,” Ajay Singh explained. He added that the association will be filing a petition in the High Court next week, seeking not just legal relief for affected dealers but also a clear framework on what role, if any, petrol pumps should play in enforcing helmet compliance. Dealers believe the current measures are pushing them into the role of law enforcement without the power or protection such a role requires. The move to court could set a significant precedent in defining the boundaries of responsibility for private entities in the enforcement of public safety laws, especially as the debate around ‘No Helmet, No Petrol’ continues across several states.