Hit and Run New Law: The new law of Indian Justice Code 2023 has been approved by the President. This law has not yet been notified by the Central Government. The new legal provisions related to ‘Hit and Run’ will come into force only after the notification related to this is issued, but before its implementation, truck drivers are agitating across the country regarding its strict provisions. They are expressing their displeasure by protesting in many states and demanding changes in new laws. ABP News had a special conversation with former Justice of Patna High Court and senior advocate of the Supreme Court, VN Sinha, on all aspects related to this law.
Retired Justice Sinha said that after the passage of the Indian Judicial Code 2023 Act by the Parliament, the President has also given his approval. After this the law has been notified, but when will it be notified? A notification will have to be issued again by the Central Government regarding this. Only then will we know when this law will be considered applicable. Till the implementation of the new law, the provisions of 2 years’ imprisonment under Section 304A of the IPC will remain applicable under the old law.
‘It was difficult to catch the driver after the accident’
On the question of bringing a new law for hit and run, former Justice Sinha said that there was a need to bring it because after the accident, the driver often ran away to save his life. This made it difficult to identify him and the victim could not get justice or help. When the driver fled from the spot after the accident, it became difficult to catch him.
How much punishment will there be for trying to help?
Former Justice Sinha also said that if the victim had died after the accident, the victim would not have been able to get justice. Therefore, if you run away, now you will be punished for 10 years. After the accident, if you try to help the victim, take him to the hospital and still he dies, then you can get a punishment of 2 to 3 years. In case of absconding, the provision of 10 years imprisonment will be applicable.
What is the provision on ‘mob lynching’ in an accident?
On the issue of ‘mob lynching’, he said that in the Indian Judicial Code 2023, a provision of 10 years has also been made for this crime. The driver is always afraid that the mob will kill him. Therefore, even for ‘mob lynching’, provisions have been made in this law for minimum punishment of 10 years and death penalty. ‘Mob lynching’ will also be connected to this. This will also stop ‘mob lynching’. Both the cases can be combined in this law.
‘The Centre’s decision to amend the law or not’
Former Justice VN Sinha said that the Indian Judicial Code 2023 has been drafted and the President’s recommendation has also been received. Now the Central Government will have to see whether to amend it or implement it first and see its results. The government will have to deliberate and take a decision on this.