Centre to get tough with rash, negligent drivers

MUMBAI: The Central government has informed the Bombay high court that it plans to bring a new bill in the winter session to increase the punishment in cases of rash and negligent driving. The ministry of home affairs is working to ensure that the bill dealing with proposed amendments to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) can be brought before the winter session of Parliament, the Centre told the Bombay high court on Tuesday.

Additional solicitor general Anil Singh filed an affidavit stating that the ministry of home affairs has “initiated necessary action” for bringing in two new subsections – 279A (driving unsafe or overloaded vehicle on a public way) and section 304A (2) (causing death or injury by rash and negligent driving) in line with recommendations of the Law Commission of India.

“It is also submitted that the ministry of home affairs is making all efforts to complete all legislative measures so that the bill may be introduced in the Parliament in the winter session,” said the affidavit filed by JP Agrawal, joint secretary, judicial cell of the ministry.

A Law Commission of India report had recommended The Bombay high court on Tuesday imposed costs on the state government for failing to act on an earlier high court order, directing it to submit its comments on the Law Commission report.

The amount will be decided at the next hearing, the bench said.

amendments to the IPC to bring in more stringent punishment for those convicted for rash driving.

The division bench of justice AS Oka and justice GS Kulkarni was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) that had sought greater compensation for the affected parties in actor Salman Khan’s alleged hit-and-run case, along with amendments to the The division bench of justice AS Oka and justice GS Kulkarni was hearing a PIL that had sought greater compensation for the affected parties in actor Salman Khan’s alleged hit-andrun case, along with amendments to the law relating to such offences. law relating to such offences.

On Tuesday, the court also imposed costs on the state government for failing to act on an earlier high court order, directing it to submit its comments on the Law Commission report. The amount will be decided at the next hearing, the bench said.

The matter will next be heard on November 3.