In a case that highlights the plight of good Samaritans who try to help road accident victims, the Kerala High Court today upheld the acquittal of an autorickshaw driver who was falsely accused of causing the death of a young man by hitting his motorcycle.
THE CASE OF MARYKUTTY KURIAN V. BABU JOSEPH
The case was filed by Marykutty Kurian and her daughter-in-law, the mother and wife of the deceased Alexander Kurian, who sought compensation of Rs. 15 lakhs from the autorickshaw driver, Babu Joseph, and his insurer. They claimed that Joseph was driving rashly and negligently and collided with Kurian’s motorcycle, resulting in his fatal injuries.
However, the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) dismissed their claim after finding that there was no evidence of any collision between the two vehicles. The Tribunal relied on the statements of witnesses, the First Information Statement (FIS), and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, which all indicated that Kurian lost control of his bike and skidded on the road.
The Tribunal also noted that Joseph had taken Kurian to the hospital in his autorickshaw after finding him lying on the road with bleeding injuries. Joseph had also informed the police about the incident and cooperated with the investigation.
The appellants challenged the Tribunal’s order before the High Court, but Justice Sophy Thomas dismissed their appeal and confirmed the findings of the Tribunal. The judge observed that it was unfortunate that Kurian lost his life in a road accident, but it would be equally unfortunate if Joseph, who tried to help him, was made an accused in a criminal case.
The judge also remarked that many innocent victims of road accidents die because nobody helps them due to fear of being falsely implicated. The judge said that such incidents discourage potential good Samaritans from extending a helping hand to those in need.
The judge appreciated Joseph for his humanitarian gesture and hoped that his case would inspire others to come forward and help accident victims without fear or hesitation. The judge also expressed sympathy for the appellants and hoped that they would find solace in their faith and family.
LAW DEALING WITH ROAD ACCIDENTS
The main law that deals with road accidents in India is the Motor Vehicles Act, of 1988. This Act provides the rules and regulations for driving, licensing, registration, insurance, and compensation of road accident victims. The Indian Penal Code, of 1860 also has some sections that deal with the criminal liability of road accidents. These sections are Section 279; Section 304; Section 336; Section 337; and Section 338.
There are some similar cases where the courts have acquitted the good Samaritans who helped the road accident victims and were falsely accused of causing the accidents. Some of these cases are:
– Rajesh Kumar v. State of Haryana [(2019) 3 SCC 658]
– State of Karnataka v. Muralidhar [(2019) 4 SCC 1]
– State of Himachal Pradesh v. Sanjay Kumar [(2017) 2 SCC 51]
This case study is relevant for understanding the legal and social issues related to road accidents and the role of good Samaritans in India. It shows how the law protects the rights and interests of both the victims and the helpers, and how the courts apply the principles of evidence and justice to decide such cases. It also highlights the need for creating awareness and encouraging people to help accident victims without fear of legal consequences. It also reflects the humanitarian values and compassion of the people who risk their safety and reputation to save the lives of others. It can be observed that the Indian judiciary is upholding the intention behind this act and providing justice.
