SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: Hit & Run incidents have increased in Kashmir valley during 2022 in which 7 people including a minor lost their lives whole one was seriously injured so far. According to Government data, a total of 3,66,138 road accidents occurred in India during 2020, causing 1,31,714 deaths. Hit & run cases have become a frequent norm in India. Hit-and-run accident can be described as a case, where an individual, hits another vehicle while driving and flees away from the spot. It is civil responsibility of a driver to report a road mishap concerning his or her vehicle. On July, 15 two youth died while another was injured in Budgam hit & run case. A police official told that trio was riding a motorcycle, which was hit by an unknown vehicle near Arizaal Masjid. According to police, it came to fore that one Shakeel Ahmed Khan of Checkmarg Hardpanzoo, who doesn’t possess a driving license, was driving the vehicle at time of incident.
On June 24, a 34 year old man identified as Bashir Ahmad Bhat of Kupwara was killed in a hit & run accident in Ragbagh area of Srinagar. In this case police apprehended two juveniles and arrested their fathers. “Dr Shamin Bhat & Fayaz Rather, fathers of both juveniles were arrested in 191A MV act for giving vehicle to minors. Police has registered case and vehicle used in the crime was also seized,” an official said.
On May 24, a newly-wed man was killed in hit & run case in Shadipora area of Bandipora district. Earlier on April 2, unknown motorcyclist hit a pedestrian namely Bilal Ahmad Lone of Lorrhama Rafiabad, who later succumbed to his injuries at SMHS Hospital. On March 18, a policeman got injured in a hit & run case in Handwara, who also succumbed after two days. Similarly, a 55-year old man was killed in an hit and run case in Baramulla district.
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 includes legislation which imposes severe punishment to an individual involved in a hit-and-run accident. According to Section 161 of Motor Vehicles Act, Hit-and-run is defined as ‘an accident arising out of the use of a motor vehicle(s) the identity whereof cannot be ascertained in spite of reasonable efforts for the purpose.’ Statistics indicate how roads have become an unsafe place for everyone. Over 30 per cent of all road accidents in India are hit & run cases, but only 10 per cent of hit & run accused are booked. Lack of concern for other person’s safety, coupled with rash driving, are major contributing factors for the same.