Court expresses concern over rise in fatal accidents in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over rise in incidents of fatal accidents in the capital, a local court has observed that it cannot be "oblivious of its social responsibility" as it awarded one year imprisonment to a man for causing death to a person by rashly driving a bus in 2002.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sharad Gupta awarded the jail term to Mohd Shafiq for the offence committed under sections 279 (rash driving) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC.

"It has been observed that incident of fatal accidents are on the rise and this court cannot be oblivious of its social responsibility," it said.

The court also directed Delhi Legal Services Authority to grant compensation to legal representatives of victim Arjun noting that Shafiq had no sufficient means to pay them any compensation.

According to the police, on December 4, 2002, Shafiq, who was rashly driving an RTV bus, hit Arjun when he was crossing the Yamuna Pusta road here. He died due to the injuries sustained in the accident.

An FIR was lodged and Shafiq was arrested on December 8, 2002, police said. During the trial in the case, Shafiq denied the allegations levelled against him.

The court, in its order, observed that after the accident, Shafiq stopped the bus and on seeing the condition of the victim, he fled away from the spot.

It also noted that Shafiq was driving in the middle of the road whereas he was required to drive on the left side.

"The accused (Shafiq) thus had an additional duty to take care in respect of any persons or vehicles going towards or coming from the said side road. Naturally, the accused was expected to slow down near the side road/cut," the court said.