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August 25, 2009 - Goanet's 15th Anniversary
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>>"...........a sense of personal civic responsibility, which is largely
>>lacking in >>India. Just take the lack of consideration on the roads and it
>>is the >>same attitude everywhere."
Mario
The type of attitude is clearly regrettable. But it is understandable when you
check this.
Section 304A carries a maximum term of two years or with fine or with both for
a rash and negligent act causing death but without intention to cause death.
And the fine of Rs 2000/- is no more than a light slap on the wallet of a rich
kid zooming off in a Mitsubishi Lancer making an exhibition of his father's
wealth and power.
To escape conviction for culpable homicide which carries a 10 year term under
section 304, it is often the argument of defence counsels that if a person is
drunk he is not in command of his senses, so how does he know he will kill
someone?
And what does the law have to say about drunk driving? Never mind. I find the
IPC boring. If my knowledge serves me right the breath-analyzer reports are not
admissible in a court. To formally book a drunk driver the police have to take
him for a blood test. And as everybody knows the police would rather prefer to
take a few extra rupees home than take an offender for a blood test unless he
is not the obliging type.
With our type of police, politicians and dead-to-the-world civic authorities
anything goes -- on the roads and elsewhere.
As things stand, it will take another 100 summers before our slumbering leaders
wake up. Today public safety is a virtual non-issue in picture-postcard Goa.
Tomorrow is a disant dream. Your choice is clear: Beware or be dead.
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