Why is it in the News?

The All India Motor Transport Association (AIMTC) decided to end the nationwide truck drivers protests against the new hit-and-run law, after a meeting with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla. 

What is the New Hit-and-run Law?

The recently enacted Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita introduces stringent penalties for hit-and-run incidents in India.

• The law specifies that an accused individual causing a fatal crash and fleeing the scene without reporting to authorities could face imprisonment for up to 10 years along with a fine of Rs 7 lakh.
  • Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita has established two distinct categories under the umbrella of "causing death by negligence."
• The first category addresses causing death through any rash or negligent act that does not amount to culpable homicide.
  • Offenders in this category may face imprisonment for up to five years and a fine.
• The second category deals with causing death through rash and negligent driving, not amounting to culpable homicide.
  • If the individual escapes without promptly reporting the incident to a police officer or magistrate, they could be subjected to up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine.

What was the Hit-and-run Law Before?

• The old, British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC) did not have a specific provision for hit-and-run cases.
• Actions in such cases were taken under Section 304 A of the IPC.
  • According to that section, a person causing the death of another due to a rash or negligent act could invite a jail term of a maximum of 2 years or be fined.
• "Whoever causes the death of any person by doing any rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 2 years, or with fine, or with both," the section stated.
• All cases of hit-and-run along with other forms of activities that came under the ambit of causing death by a "rash and negligent act" were lodged under Section 304 A of the IPC.