Truckers spanning the length and breadth of India commenced a three-day demonstration on Monday, registering their dissent against a specific provision concerning 'hit-and-run' accidents within the recently introduced criminal laws. Their primary demand is the immediate retraction of this newly enacted legislation.
As the protest entered its second day, truckers in various regions of the country continued their sit-in, expressing dissatisfaction with a particular clause in the fresh criminal law codes, specifically addressing the matter of hit-and-run incidents. Incidents have been reported where protestors have obstructed highways and roads in multiple locations, steadfastly abstaining from operating their vehicles.
The ongoing nationwide demonstration by truckers has ignited concerns of potential shortages at petrol and diesel stations nationwide, resulting in a surge of panic buying. On Tuesday, visual evidence emerged from various parts of the country depicting long queues forming at petrol and diesel pumps, with individuals anxiously anticipating an imminent fuel scarcity.
So, what is the crux of the truck drivers' protest? It revolves around a specific provision embedded in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a legal framework recently implemented by the government to supersede the archaic Indian Penal Code from the British era. The contentious provision within the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertains to hit-and-run accidents, serving as the focal point of the truckers' discontent.
What does the recently enacted law stipulate? According to this new penal statute, any driver causing the death of an individual through reckless and negligent driving, and subsequently fleeing the scene without reporting the incident to authorities, could face imprisonment for a duration of up to 10 years and/or monetary fines. Section 106 (2) of the recently enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita explicitly outlines these legal consequences.
Contrastingly, the antiquated British-era Indian Penal Code did not delineate a specific provision addressing hit-and-run cases. Instead, actions in such scenarios were governed by Section 304 A of the IPC. According to this section, a person responsible for causing the death of another due to a rash or negligent act could be subjected to a maximum jail term of two years monetary fines, or a combination of both.
In essence, all instances of hit-and-run, along with other activities falling under the umbrella of causing death by a "rash and negligent act," were encompassed under Section 304 A of the IPC under the previous legal framework. The truckers' protest thus emerges as a reaction against the perceived severity of the penalties introduced by the recent legal overhaul.
