A tragic incident on the high-speed Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway has resulted in the death of a 36-year-old motorcyclist and led to a unique legal situation where the police have registered a case against the deceased victim. The accident occurred near Daultabad in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
Details of the Fatal Hit-and-Run Incident
The accident took place on the evening of December 25, Saturday, around 9 pm. According to police reports, the motorcyclist was struck by an unknown vehicle that subsequently fled the scene. The injured rider was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries on Saturday itself.
The deceased has been identified as Kiran Ingale, a worker hailing from Mategaon village in the Kannad taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The local authorities from the Daultabad police station are investigating the circumstances of the crash.
Police Action and Legal Standpoint
In a significant development, the police have registered a case not against the unidentified driver of the fleeing vehicle, but against the deceased motorcyclist. Rekha Londhe, the in-charge of Daultabad police station, explained the rationale behind this action.
"There is no locus standi to register a case against the driver of the unknown vehicle in this hit-and-run case, as two-wheelers are not permitted on the expressway. The bike rider flouted the law," stated Londhe. She further added that investigators are working to determine exactly how the motorcyclist managed to gain access to the expressway, which officially prohibits two-wheeler traffic.
Charges Filed Under New Legal Framework
The Daultabad police have registered offences under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act. The charges against the deceased include:
- BNS Section 106(1): Causing death by rash or negligent acts.
- BNS Section 281: Rash or negligent driving or riding on public ways.
- BNS Section 125a: Endangering human life.
- Relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
This case highlights the strict enforcement of rules on India's new expressway networks and raises complex questions regarding liability in accidents where traffic regulations are violated. The police continue their search for the unidentified vehicle that struck Kiran Ingale.
