Truck drivers have been protesting since January 1 against the provisions announced in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for hit and run cases on December 28, 2023. Under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), it was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs that drivers who caused a serious road accident by negligent driving and run away without informing the police or any official from the administration could face punishment of up to 10 years and a fine of Rs 7 lakh. However, the provisions in the law have now been put on hold.
The announcement resulted in a nation-wide increase from truck, bus and tanker drivers, with transport operators claiming that the new hit-and-run law is too harsh and that it could lead to unfair punishments. The protests also resulted in people queuing up at petrol pumps worrying about fuel shortages, creating a panic across a host of cities across the country.
The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) after their meeting with the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Tuesday said that the new provision of imposing 10 years of punishment and Rs 7 lakh fine for hit-and-run cases has been kept on hold. Under the previous legislation, drivers could be imprisoned for up to two years under IPC Section 304A (death by negligence).
“We had a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives, govt wants to say that the new rule has not been implemented yet, we all want to say that before implementing Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 106/2, we will have a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives and then only we will take a decision,” said Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla. The government also appealed truck drivers to resume work.
The announcement resulted in a nation-wide increase from truck, bus and tanker drivers, with transport operators claiming that the new hit-and-run law is too harsh and that it could lead to unfair punishments. The protests also resulted in people queuing up at petrol pumps worrying about fuel shortages, creating a panic across a host of cities across the country.
The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) after their meeting with the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Tuesday said that the new provision of imposing 10 years of punishment and Rs 7 lakh fine for hit-and-run cases has been kept on hold. Under the previous legislation, drivers could be imprisoned for up to two years under IPC Section 304A (death by negligence).
“We had a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives, govt wants to say that the new rule has not been implemented yet, we all want to say that before implementing Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 106/2, we will have a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives and then only we will take a decision,” said Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla. The government also appealed truck drivers to resume work.