HC rap govt on failure to curb drunken driving

A division bench headed by Justice D D Sinha was hearing a public interest litigation filed by journalist Nikhil Wagle, seeking enhancement of punishment awarded under section 304 A of IPC for causing death by rash and negligent act and increase in compensation awarded under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The scribe had filed the PIL soon after the road accident involving the 46-year-old actor.

On September 29, 2002 an inebriated Salman's Toyota Land Cruiser run over five persons sleeping on a pavement in Bandra. He was arrested the next day and booked under sections 304 A, 337 and 338 of IPC. However, he was released on bail of Rs 950 immediately at the Bandra police station as all the sections were bailable.

 

The High Court, had in October 2002, directed the actor to deposit Rs 19 lakh as interim compensation to the deceased's family and the four injured in the mishap.

The court had also asked the state government to file a report on what measures it proposes to take regarding such incidents and the union government to file an affidavit on increase in punishment under section 304 A.

However, till date no reply has been filed.

"Why has the state and union government not filed their affidavits ? This is a question of an order passed long time ago. Why has nothing been done yet," Justice Sinha questioned.

Giving the State and Centre four weeks time to file their affidavits, he said, "The state government's affidavit should say what measures it has taken to tackle drunken driving incidents and the Centre's affidavit should clarify its stand on section 304 A." (MORE)