Offenders in road accidents can be slapped with murder charge

HT, 9 Nov 2016, Kolkata: Punishments for offenders in case of road accidents will be more severe, including slapping of murder and attempt to murder charges in state, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said. 

“A new bill will be introduced in the coming winter session of the Assembly next month. It will empower police to slap severe punishments. The accidents will be judged on a case-to-case basis and depending on the nature of accident, the police will slap murder or attempt to murder charges on the offender,” the chief minister told media persons at the state secretariat on Tuesday. 

The director general of police Surajit Kar Purakayastha said in case of death or severe accident caused as a result of drunken driving, the offender will be charged with murder or attempt to murder charges. 

“Such charges will not be blanket but on case -to-case basis depending on the nature of the accident and the reason behind it,” he said. 

“Drinking and driving cannot go side by side and I have asked the police to be extremely strict in dealing with cases of drunken driving,” the chief minister echoed Purakayastha. 

Speaking at a press meet, chief minister further said state transport department is initiating a plan to introduce different lanes for different types of vehicles. She said state transport department will strictly deal with drivers conducting driving tests before grating driving license to an applicant. “The entire test process will be video- recorded so that there is no chance for manipulation,” the chief minister said.