Drunk driving grave menace to public: HC

CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana HC said drunk driving cannot beryllium viewed successful isolation arsenic a specified enactment of mischief arsenic it is simply a sedate menace to nationalist information and "strikes astatine the precise basal of societal order", and denied bail to a trucker accused of crushing an MBBS pupil portion driving nether the power 2 years ago.Such cases request to beryllium dealt with sternly and immoderate leniency volition nonstop a incorrect awesome and embolden others to indulge successful akin hazardous conduct, Justice Sumeet Goel said."A idiosyncratic who chooses to thrust nether the power of intoxicant does not simply endanger his ain beingness but recklessly imperils the lives of guiltless citizens utilizing the road," HC said successful a caller order.Justice Goel was proceeding a bail plea filed by trucker Jagtar Singh, who is accused of driving drunk, and ramming a parked car astatine precocious speed, sidesplitting a aesculapian student.

The accused was caught astatine the country but managed to flee. He was yet remanded successful jail.The victim's begetter filed a ailment successful Patiala aft which constabulary registered an FIR connected Nov 1, 2023, nether IPC and Motor Vehicles Act.Jagtar sought regular bail, saying helium had been down bars for much than a twelvemonth and the challan against him already presented. Opposing the plea, the authorities argued the petitioner could power oregon endanger witnesses if released connected bail.

It contended the petitioner did not merit bail.Justice Goel held the gravity of offence, mode of its commission, and its interaction connected nine indispensable measurement against the plea of liberty. "Though the challan has been presented and 14 prosecution witnesses stay to beryllium examined, the apprehension expressed by authorities that the petitioner, if released connected bail, whitethorn effort to power oregon intimidate the witnesses cannot beryllium brushed aside," said the judge, and dismissed Jagtar's plea.