Motorists must be in position to control their vehicles, says Court

A court in New Delhi has upheld the six months' jail term given to a truck driver in a road accident case, observing that "it is the duty of every motorist driving on public roads to be in a position to control the vehicle".

District and Sessions Judge Ina Malhotra dismissed an appeal filed by Rajasthan resident Kartar Singh against a trial court's order, sentencing him to undergo the rigorous imprisonment for six months with a fine of Rs 2,000.

"As the identity of the accused had been proved and the mechanical inspection report also substantiates the fact that the motorcycle was hit from the backside by the offending vehicle, it goes to prove the careless and rash manner in which the offending vehicle was being driven by the appellant/ accused resulting in the death of the pillion rider.

"It is the duty of every motorist while driving on public roads to be in a position to control their vehicle," the court said.

According to the prosecution, in May, 2008, the truck being driven by Kartar, in a rash and negligent manner, hit the motorcycle in Defence Colony here.

Due to the impact, pillion rider Janglal sustained grievous injuries and died on the spot while motorcycle driver Harish received simple injuries.

Kartar had approached the session court claiming that the accident was caused due to the victim's negligence.