PANJIM: The Reformers – a group for justice, has strongly opposed the recently enacted new penal law, Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita or ‘Hit and Run’ law, passed by the Indian Parliament. Under the new law, if any accused causes a fatal crash, and flees from the spot without reporting the accident to the authorities, he/she will end up in jail for up to 10 years and pay a fine. The legislation, which is perceived to be targeting heavy transportation vehicles, has sparked outrage among a majority of the underprivileged, marginalised, and unemployed, who rely on driving as a livelihood.
With penalties including a 10-year imprisonment and a hefty fine of Rs 7 lakh for offenders in hit-and-run accidents, the law is criticised as draconian and lacking in reformative context. They argued that existing provisions in the Motor Vehicles Act and Indian Penal Code are sufficient to address such cases, rendering the new legislation arbitrary and irrational. The Reformers called for the withdrawal of this perceived unjust law and urged the Collector (North Goa) to convey their protest to the Union Government of India.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Subhash Kerkar of The Reformers said, “We submitted a memorandum to the Collector (North Goa). In the memorandum, we have stated that the hit and run law will affect taxi, tempo, bus and private vehicle drivers, those driving their own vehicles and those in the transport business, most of whom are poor. Drivers’ salaries range between Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. With this rule of 10 years imprisonment and Rs 7 lakh fine, from where will they arrange the money? The money should be taken from the insurance company.”
“People say it’s a good bill. We too agree. Why does the driver run? Because he is scared of his life. One has to also make a rule that people should not assault the driver and people who do so, should be dealt with legally. It is only then that drivers will not run away,” Kerkar argued.
“The new law is erroneous. There are existing laws to deal with hit and run cases, so why this new law? Punishment should be for both sides. If not people will kill the driver. Who will take the responsibility? How can we have a law only for one section and other are not governed by any law? This new law should be revoked. We have submitted memoranda to North and South Goa Collectors and they have assured us to send it to the Centre,” Kerkar informed.
Milan Vaigankar said, “The new hit and law is totally unnecessary. These provisions are already there in the existing laws. So for whom is the bill? It will affect not only the truckers but even private vehicle owners or two-wheeler riders. The punishment is severe –10 years in jail and Rs 7 lakh fine.”
“We are protesting that this law will cause untold problems to all. If it (hit and run) happens in the case of a poor driver, there will be no one to help him. Those (drivers) who run away, run for their life, since people assault the driver. They can even kill him. Therefore we have prayed for revoking the law,” Vaigankar said.
