A fatal accident occurred in Calangute on Wednesday when a scooter rider was hit by a water tanker. The tanker driver was arrested but later released on bail. Of late there have been many road accidents in the state which have resulted in fatalities. In India, most road accident deaths are treated as bailable offences under Section 304A IPC. Section 304A deals with causing death by negligence that does not amount to culpable homicide. The punishment for this offense can include imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both. However, hit-and-run cases are non-bailable under the new law. Section 106(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine. The question that arises is shouldn’t road violations including reckless driving, drunk driving, high-speed and rash driving resulting in fatality also be made a non-bailable offence given the number of road fatalities taking place? It will also be in the fitness of things for all cases of road fatalities to be tried in a fast-tack court and the culprit awarded the necessary punishment. This will provide quick justice to the family of the victim.
