Guj HC for stricter punishment in hit-and-run cases

Expressing concern over the loss of human lives due to rash and negligent driving, Gujarat High Court today said "appropriate punishments and tough trials" are needed in the hit-and-run cases.
The court said this while setting aside a plea filed by a woman, accused in a hit-and-run case, in which she sought dropping of charges of negligent driving and causing death by negligence, slapped against her.
"Accidents are rampant... People are dying at the drop of a hat... Nowadays it is the world of BMWs, Audis and Land Rovers, where no one values human lives. An innocent child lost her life," Justice J B Pardiwala said today.

The petition was filed by Alka Shah, who allegedly mowed down a two-year-old girl at Ambavadi area here on June 30 while driving her Honda CRV and later fled from the spot.
In the petition, Shah expressed her willingness to give "some charity for the victim's family" and sought to quash the charges of reckless driving and causing death by negligence slapped by police.
However, the high court said a stern view needs to be taken about the cases of reckless driving and should be taken up on priority. The HC also opined that appropriate punishments were not given in the hit-and-run cases.

"This (quashing the case) will give a wrong message to the society...That was a case of rash, negligent and reckless driving," the court said, allowing the woman to withdraw the plea.

"Punishment are meant for deterrence in such cases... Show me one case where appropriate punishment was imposed in such cases... That is why people are driving so recklessly... They do not care for human lives," said high court.
"I am unhappy to note it that the family of the girl (deceased) is in agreement (to settle the case). There is not a question of intention. Nobody has the intention of killing anybody, but ultimately your act crushed someone to death," it said.

"There should be tough trial on such cases. These are machines (cars). The more you press the accelerator, the faster it will go. These BMWs, Audis and Honda CRVs... You must see on highways...Speed thrills, but kills," the high court said.
These type of trials should be given top priority. Courts should see these cases should be considered with priority, it said.