Tamil Nadu govt issues guidelines to protect Good Samaritans

Seeking to protect Good Samaritans, who help road accident victims, the Tamil Nadu government has issued guidelines, including making disclosure of their personal details voluntary.

"The disclosure of personal information, such as name and contact details of Good Samaritans shall be voluntary and optional including in the Medico Legal Case form provided by hospitals," one of the guidelines said.

A state government release here said that based on a Supreme Court order of October 2014, the Central government had issued necessary directions with regard to protection of Good Samaritans and that the state government has also issued "necessary order" recently.

Among other guidelines, it said that a Good Samaritan, including an eyewitness of road accidents, may take the injured persons to hospital and that he/she should be allowed to leave immediately "except after furnishing address by the eyewitness only and no question shall be asked."

Suitably rewarding such persons, making themnon-liable for any civil and criminal liability and initiating action against public officials, "who coerce or intimidate" them to reveal their names or personal details, were the other guidelines notified by the state government.