On Saturday, a woman from Junaswada in Mandrem died after being hit by a Delhi-registered car. Villagers have reportedly claimed that it was a case of murder. A 58-year-old resident of Parra succumbed to his injuries in a hit-and-run case which occurred late on Wednesday when an unidentified vehicle rammed his two-wheeler from behind. A 21-year-old youth from Porvorim has reportedly been arrested on charges of rash and negligent driving after his Mercedes car struck and seriously injured a woman in a hit-and-run case in Siolim on Tuesday. The accused fled the scene without informing the authorities or administering first aid to the injured woman.
Be that as it may, it must be said that there has been a rise in the number of hit-and-run cases being reported in the state. While such accidents can leave the victim physically maimed for life, they can also lead to fatalities. In the recent past, during a detailed investigation in a hit-and-run case reported at Dhargal, Pernem, the police have reportedly concluded that the deceased was indeed murdered by the accused persons. It is learnt that the accused persons allegedly killed the victim over a petty dispute and tried to pass it off as a hit-and-run case. It seems prudent for the police to investigate hit-and-run cases from the murder/attempt to murder angle as well if there is even the slightest suspicion. Vehicles could be used as “murder weapons” by those wanting to commit murder with the intention of getting away with the crime.
A hit-and-run can result in a driver’s licence being cancelled, fines, and detention. In India, the Motor Vehicles Act states that compensation is available for victims of hit-and-runs. Any CCTV footage available from neighbouring places where the accident took place should be utilised to trace the vehicle responsible for the accident and the driver booked. People who are witnesses to a hit-and-run case need to be alert and note down the registration number of the fleeing vehicle, which should be reported to the police.
