"Hitting the Brakes: Assessing India's Legal Strategies for Hit and Run Offenses"
Introduction: Hit-and-run incidents pose a serious threat to road safety and demand stringent legal measures to ensure justice for victims. In India, hit-and-run laws are an integral part of the legal framework aimed at holding offenders accountable for their actions. Legal Provisions: In India, hit-and-run cases primarily fall under the purview of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Section 304A of the Act specifically addresses cases involving death or injury due to a rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide. Additionally, relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, such as Section 279 (rash driving) and Section 337 to 339 (causing hurt by endangering life or personal safety), may apply. Penalties: The penalties for hit-and-run offenses in India can vary based on the severity of the incident. In cases resulting in death or grievous hurt, the accused may face imprisonment, fines, or both. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, has introduced stricter penalti...