In a symbolic gesture supporting fuel conservation amid the ongoing global energy crisis, Justice Dwarka Dhish Bansal of the Madhya Pradesh High Court cycled to court on Tuesday following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal urging citizens to reduce fuel consumption.

Justice Bansal, who is posted at the Jabalpur Bench, travelled around three kilometres from his official residence in Civil Lines to the High Court premises on a bicycle, accompanied by a court staff member.

Speaking after the ride, Justice Bansal said the decision was intended to send a public message that everyone, including judges, must contribute towards conserving fuel during the present international crisis triggered by the ongoing US-Iran conflict and rising crude oil prices.

“I’ve been seeing since two days, looking at the global crisis, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji has appealed to save fuel among other things. Keeping it in mind, I felt I should cycle to High Court and give a message to the common man to use cycle to commute whenever possible for shorter distances,” he said.

The judge further revealed that he often cycles around Jabalpur with Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and emphasized that judges are not above ordinary civic responsibilities.

“Just because we are High Court judges doesn’t mean we are special,” Justice Bansal remarked.

The development comes after Prime Minister Modi, during public addresses in Secunderabad and Vadodara over the last two days, urged citizens to adopt fuel-saving measures in view of the economic impact of the West Asia crisis. The Prime Minister encouraged people to avoid unnecessary fuel usage, use public transport where possible, and consider cycling or electric vehicles for short-distance travel.

He also advised citizens to reduce non-essential expenditure and suggested that work-from-home practices may again be adopted in suitable sectors to minimise travel-related fuel consumption.