Court Questions Govt: Are Cows Holier than Humans?

July 16, 2017:

India accounts for 10% of the global road accidents with over 1,46,000 fatalities annually.

Judge says that even Cow Killing Invites 'Harsher Punishment' “Sentencing for killing a cow is 5 or 7 or 14 years in different states.

But, in case of death of a human being caused by rash/negligent driving, sentence prescribed in law is only 2 years,“ said a Delhi court on Saturday , while awarding a 2 year jail term to the son of a Haryana businessman for mowing down a motorcyclist with his BMW car in year 2008.

Additional sessions Judge Sanjeev Kumar held accused, Utsav Bhasin, guilty under Section 304 A (causing death by negligence), Section 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and Section 279 (rash driving) of IPC.

The court also directed Utsav Bhasin to give ₹10 lakh as compensation to the victim's family and ₹2 lakh to the injured.

The Judge noted that on completion of 3 years in power, the govt. advertised various initiatives under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi on 26th May 2017.

On the completion of 4 years, the court wants the govt. to take steps for enhancing sentence for the offence under Section 304-A IPC.

The court said that "Hence, a copy of this order be sent to PM Narendra Modi to look into sentence prescribed for the offence of causing a person's death by negligence because 'sabka saath sabka vikas' is possible only when the people don't die in road accident in huge numbers."

"Human life is precious...road users have a fundamental right to life & liberty, which includes right to safety under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution."

Court expressed its displeasure at the fact that even in India's capital, there're no exclusive lanes for non-motorized vehicle like bicycles, “Most of them are either used for parking or are encroached upon by locals,“ it said.

The court also cited India accounts for 10% of the global road accidents with over 1,46,000 fatalities annually-highest in the world.