'Bond' Bluelines: Licensed to kill?

New Delhi, Jul 10 (UNI) Despite the Delhi government's tall claims of impounding 'killer Bluelines' and cancelling the permits of errant owners, a week after a FIITJEE manager was crushed to death in neighbouring NOIDA, the driver is free and running the vehicle once again even though his licence was impounded.

Retired RITES manager S N Mishra, whose MBA daughter was crushed by a speeding Blueline in NOIDA's Sector 37 on July 1, said it was heart-breaking for him to see the same driver and the same bus plying on the same route yesterday.

''It is so ironical that the same man, who killed my daughter, and the same bus which crushed it was back in business, as if nothing has happened,'' he said, It was all the more painful because the incident had taken place just a week ago, said Mr Mishra, who is unconsolable in his grief.

''What is all this talk of the Delhi government acting tough on erring drivers and bus owners when one of them is plying his vehicle with impunity and in brazen defiance of law?'' He said the Delhi government was equally responsible as it was the one which issued permits to the Bluelines.

''The tall claims sound so phoney especially when I myself am the one who is the victim,'' Mr Mishra added.

Legal experts aver that the irony of accidents on Delhi roads, and adjoining areas, is that the offence -- whether it is hitting, rash driving or even killing someone -- is bailable.

Most of the times, a culprit bus driver is charged under Section 304A of the IPC -- causing death by 'rash and negligent act' -- and not under Section 304 (culpable homicide).

According to them, Section 304 should be applied in most cases to rein in errant drivers and act as a deterrent for others.

''Even an impounded bus is 'freed' after sometime on 'superdari' (assurance), thereby permitting it run on the designated route once again,'' said a Supreme Court lawyer.

The very idea of punishing the errant ones goes in vain because the law itself is 'soft'. Moreover, policemen are unwilling to work hard on the prosecution side.

''Instead of making a case of Section 304, which is non-bailable, they make a case of 304A because here they would not have to work hard on getting the evidence part of it, which weakens the prosecution's case,'' he added.

A senior police official, who preferred anonymity, said the hands of police were tied because they had to go by the rule book in such matters.

''With so many accidents taking place every now and then, we generally go by the set precedent,'' he said, adding that only a stricter law in this regard could be of some help.

Alka Mishra, working as a manager with FIITJEE in Hauz Khas, was on way to her Noida residence when she was mowed down by a Blueline in Sector 37 while crossing the road on July 1.

While the bus was impounded and the driver arrested the same day, they were back in business just within a week.

Sources said this is easy as even after their licence is taken away by the police after an accident, they continue to drive as they often have more than one licence.

''Moreover, the police looks the other way as they get their 'share' every month,'' they added.

UNI