Weeks after the Pune Porsche hit-and-run incident, another tragic case has come to light, involving the daughter of a Rajya Sabha MP. This case revolves around a fatal accident in Chennai where the driver, Madhuri, allegedly ran over a man sleeping on the pavement.
Details of the Chennai Incident
What Happened?
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Location and Time: The accident occurred on a Monday night in Chennai.
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Driver: Madhuri, daughter of YSR Congress Party Rajya Sabha MP Beeda Masthan Rao, was driving the BMW.
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Victim: The victim, identified as Surya, a 24-year-old painter, was sleeping on a pavement when he was run over.
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Aftermath: Madhuri fled the scene immediately after the incident. Her friend, who was in the car, stayed and argued with bystanders who rushed to help.
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Medical Response: Passers-by took Surya to a hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
Post-Accident Actions
Police investigations revealed the BMW belonged to the BMR Group and was registered in Puducherry. Madhuri was arrested but quickly released on bail. The Adyar Traffic Investigation Wing police charged her under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with causing death by negligence—a bailable offense. Summons were issued to the car owner for further investigation. Surya's family, including his wife of eight months, demanded strict action at the police station.
Madhuri’s Family Background
Madhuri hails from a prominent and affluent family. Her father, BM Rao, is a Rajya Sabha MP elected in 2022, and has previously served as an MLA. Rao transitioned from the Telugu Desam Party to the YSR Congress in December 2019 and is recognized as a leader of the Yadava community. Additionally, he chairs the BMR Group, a shrimp farming and export business with operations in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Legal Consequences and Upcoming Changes
Current Legal Framework
Under the existing IPC Section 304A, individuals found guilty in hit-and-run cases can face up to two years in jail. However, with the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) set to replace the IPC from July 1, the penalties are set to become more severe.
Future Legal Penalties
The BNS introduces harsher punishments for hit-and-run offenses. It categorizes such incidents into two types under "causing death by negligence." The first category involves general rash or negligent acts not amounting to culpable homicide, with penalties up to five years in prison and fines. The second category specifically addresses rash and negligent driving without reporting the incident, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines.
The Prevalence of Hit-and-Run Cases in India
Recent High-Profile Cases
The Chennai case comes on the heels of another high-profile incident in Pune involving a Porsche. On May 19, a 17-year-old allegedly drove a Porsche while intoxicated, causing a fatal accident that killed two young tech professionals. The minor is currently in a remand home, with his parents in police custody over allegations of tampering with his blood samples.
Statistical Overview
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India recorded over 460,000 road accidents in 2022, a 12% increase from the previous year. Hit-and-run cases accounted for over 67,000 of these accidents, making up roughly one in every seven road accidents. Tamil Nadu reported the highest number of accidents, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. Notably, "hit from back" incidents were the leading cause of road deaths at 19.5%, with "hit-and-run" and "head-on collision" following at 18.1% and 15.7% respectively.
Global Context
India has the highest number of road accident deaths worldwide, according to data from the International Road Federation as reported by the Ministry of Transport. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for stricter road safety regulations and enforcement.
The hit-and-run case involving Madhuri, daughter of Rajya Sabha MP Beeda Masthan Rao, highlights the ongoing issues of road safety and legal accountability in India. With new legislation on the horizon, it remains to be seen how effectively these changes will address the rampant issue of hit-and-run incidents and improve overall road safety in the country.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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