The Madras High Court on March 31st, 2022 while granting bail to the accused youth in the case L.Praveen v. State By Inspector of Police Chennai [C rl.O.P.No.71 49 of 2022] decided by Justice G Jayachandran imposed a condition for him to assist at the Trauma Ward of the Government Stanley Medical College for 30 days.
Facts of the case
A complaint was received by the Police from the public regarding 2 bikes driving in a rash and negligent way near Stanley Hospital. It was also stated that the riders were using iron rods to create sparks and sound on the road and thereby creating panic and an accident occurred.
The police traced the bikes back to their owners and found that the owners had been riding them at the time of the incident of offence , and were booked under Sections 279, 308, 114 of IPC and 184, 188 of M.V. Act .
The Petitioner preferred Bail and stated that he was not involved in any illegal bike race. He was just traveling along with another person on the Pillion. He being a law-abiding citizen is ready to comply with any condition.
Government Advocate opposing the grant of bail submitted that recently youngsters are engaged in bike races on Public roads causing menace to the road users and the Public. They get injured and also cause injuries to others by their unmindful act of rash driving and they were causing a ruckus on the public road which was brought to the notice of the respondent police by a Public-Spirited person.
Decision and Reasons for Decisions
The court held that it is not oblivious of the fact that recently youngsters are riding their vehicles rashly causing terror in the minds of the road users, and pillion rider creates panic in the minds of the public by using metal rods and causing fire sparkles while they rod the road, do wheeling and other adventures while riding.
However, the court found that for the said act detaining was not necessary and the accused were given bail on imposing the bail condition to serve as an assistant at the trauma care centre at Government Stanley hospital.
a) Petitioner was directed to report before the Duty Doctor of Stanley Hospital, Chennai in Trauma Ward, daily at 08.00 a.m and stay at Trauma Ward till 12.00 noon. He shall assist the Ward Boys to take care of the patients at Trauma Ward for a period of 30 days from the next date of release from the prison;
(b) Further, the petitioner shall submit a one-page report daily about his experience in the Trauma Ward to the duty Doctor, and the Dean in turn shall forward the reports submitted by the petitioner at the end of the 30th day to the Metropolitan Magistrate, George Town, Chennai for appraisal.
Conclusion
These kinds of interesting and notable decisions of the Courts rather than having a deterrent effect are more to reform the offender. In this particular instance, the offenders by working in the Trauma Ward will be able to see the extreme consequences of their Negligent acts and how the innocent victims suffer due to their actions. This will set a precedent in dealing with similar cases where punishment is not a viable and efficient solution.
