'Drunk Driving not just a lapse': Punjab HC denies bail to driver in MBBS student death case
Punjab- The Punjab and Haryana High Court rejected the bail plea of a 70-year-old driver accused of causing the death of an MBBS student in Patiala in 2023. The court said that drunk driving is a grave menace and not just a lapse.
The court was hearing the third bail plea of driver, who is an accused in a fatal road accident that occurred in Patiala on November 1, 2023. In his bail plea, he stated that he is a senior citizen, approximately 70 years old, and has been in custody since November 1, 2023. He pointed out that the challan has been filed, but none of the 15 listed witnesses have yet been examined. Given the likely delay in the trial, his lawyer argued that he should be granted bail.
According to the HT report, a bench of Justice Sumit Goel said that a person who chooses to drive under the influence of alcohol not only endangers his own life but also the lives of innocent citizens who recklessly use the road.
"The act, by its very nature creates potential for fatal accidents, loss of invaluable human lives and serious injuries apart from damage to property by creating a hazardous situation on public roads undermining the very fabric of public safety and order. Fatal accidents, loss of invaluable human lives and serious injuries apart from damage to property and public roads, undermining the very fabric of public safety and order,” it added.
The deceased medical student was identified as Singh (24), who was pursuing an MBBS degree from the Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. He and his father, a retired school teacher, were travelling to Patiala and had stopped their car near the Prabhlahan flyover on the Sangrur-Patiala highway.
The medico had stepped out of the vehicle to urinate. As he was re-entering the car, a truck approached from behind and ran over him, resulting in his death. The truck driver was allegedly intoxicated at the time. Bystanders at the scene managed to catch him initially, but he later fled. He was arrested the following day.
