Government pleader Abhinandan Vangyani informed the division bench of justices Abhay Oka and C V Bhadang that though the decision has been taken, the policy is yet to be drafted.
The state government on Tuesday informed the Bombay High Court that it has decided to immediately suspend licenses of those driving in an inebriated condition. This follows a High Court direction to the government to consider amending section 185 (drunk driving) of the Motor Vehicles Act, after acquittal of actor Salman Khan in a 2002 hit-and-run case.
Government pleader Abhinandan Vangyani informed the division bench of justices Abhay Oka and C V Bhadang that though the decision has been taken, the policy is yet to be drafted. He said he would submit the policy before the court on the next hearing date.
Soon after the HC acquitted Khan, a division bench had suo-motu raised several questions for the state, one of which was about the procedure for revoking or suspending the license of the driver. The court also asked the state what was the procedure followed when it was proved that the driver was in an inebriated condition, but not proven guilty yet?
The court also asked the state government to give a detailed report about the requirement of breath analysers at each police station. At the moment, there are 385 breath analysers at police stations across the state, of which only 294 are in the working condition. In Mumbai, of the 78 breath analysers, only 54 are working.
The court was further informed that the state has decided to have 45 mobile forensic support units under the supervision of the director general of police. These mobile forensic units will rush to the spot of offence, help gather forensic evidence and move it to the main laboratory.
Earlier in its 304-page judgment while acquitting Khan, the High Court had noted that the prosecution failed to prove all charges against the actor beyond reasonable doubt. There were several infirmities and improvements in the testimony of witnesses, including the injured, panch and star prosecution witness deceased constable Ravindra Patil. The state has challenged the acquittal order before the Supreme Court.
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