Surat cops get stricter with rash drivers causing deaths

SURAT: Following a spate of fatal accidents caused by rash drivers who did not even possess licence, the city police has now decided to book them under stricter section of Indian Penal Code (IPC) - culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

If proved guilty, they can get a punishment of up to 10 years in jail. City police will also book parents of the minor driver involved in fatal accident.



So far, the speed demons responsible for fatal accidents were booked under IPC section 304(a) (causing death by rash or negligent act) which has a maximum punishment of up to two years.

However, with increasing number of vehicles and accidents on Surat roads and rise in the number of minors without driving license, the fresh instructions were issued by city police commissioner Satish Sharma after a meeting of City Road Safety Council held recently.

As per the notification, a person without driving license will be booked under 304(2) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder, if act is done with knowledge that it is likely to cause death, but without any intention to cause death) in case of fatal accident and in case of grievous injuries, the driver will be booked under 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide). A convict under 308 can get punishment up to three years.

“Looking at the growing number of accidents, and, in majority cases the drivers being without license, I instructed my officers to book them under a stricter law. We have power to book such accused under 304. In case of minor involved in such accidents, their parents will also be made co-accused,” Sharma told TOI.

“The strict rules in issuance of license is also discouraging people from taking it hence we want all driver on road with driving license who have knowledge of traffic rules,” he added.