Srinagar- A court here on Saturday sentenced a man to three years’ imprisonment for allowing minor son to drive a vehicle, a violation that the court noted posed a serious threat to public safety.
“Keeping in view ..the statement of the accused person wherein he pleaded guilty, the accused person is accordingly convicted for the commission of offence under Section 199A of Motor Vehicles Act 1988,” Special Mobile Magistrate Srinagar Shabir Ahmad Malik said and sentenced the accused Mushtaq Ahmad to three years simple imprisonment and imposed Rs 25,000(Twenty Five Thousand ) as fine on him.
The court also ordered cancelling registration of the particular vehicle for a period of twelve months.
Since the offence does not involve moral turpitude, and the violator has no prior convictions, the court granted probation to him.
However, the Court directed the convict to execute a bond of Rs 2 lakh for maintaining peace and good behaviour for a period of two years. It further ordered that if the convicted person violates any condition of the bond during this period, he shall undergo the sentence proposed and the bond amount of Rs 2 lakh shall stand forfeited to the government.
“Before parting, I would like to place on record that in last five years (2020 to 2024) the total number of deaths due to road accidents in India is approximately 810,913. (2020: 1,38,383,2021: 1,53,972, 2022: 1,68,491, 2023: 1,72,890, 2024: 1,77,177),” the court said, adding, “Precious lives are lost due to negligent driving/ bypassing traffic rules in last 5 years.”
The court noted the numbers are alarming and it was high time that people take traffic laws very seriously.
“We as a society must realize that these lives can be saved if traffic rules are followed,” the court observed, stressing that simple measures — such as wearing a seat belt, a helmet or proper headgear, and keeping mobile phones aside while driving — are not mere formalities but essential habits that protect and save lives.
“This sense of responsibility should come from within us, not only when a police officer is around to remind us.”
The Court also underscored that underage driving is a major contributor to traffic accidents and congestion, posing serious risks to other motorists and pedestrians
“It is important to realize that Parents/guardians or owners of vehicles are responsible for providing vehicles to their minor children. It is observed many times these minors are driving vehicle, riding bikes in and around, schools or crowded places resulting accidents/loss of lives,” the court said, adding, “It is the first and foremost duty of parents not to provide their minor children any vehicle unless they attain majority and have license to drive the vehicle.”
The court said that it was also the duty of Principals, Teachers not to allow the minor students to drive the vehicles and impart education regarding these issues. “By allowing minor to drive we are only producing violators and victims and not responsible citizens,” the court underlined.
The court directed that copy of the judgment be sent to the Commissioner Secretary School Education J&K with a request to circulate it in all the schools (government or private) and direct them to educate the students as well as their parents or guardians regarding these issues.
“I would also request the Commissioner Secretary School Education to issue directives to all the schools and frame some policy like “No Vehicle policy for Minors” in education institutes. So as to contribute to this noble cause that may save many lives.”
Further, the court directed IGP Traffic J&K to conduct a special drives against these minors (Violators).
