Hit-and-run law: All you need to know about nationwide protest by truckers

livemint.com:

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a recently enacted criminal code. The focal point of contention within this legal structure pertains to the increased penalties for hit-and-run incidents, a provision vehemently criticized by truckers who refer to it as a “kaala kanoon" or “black law." Here is a comprehensive overview of the protests and how they were terminated.

Truck drivers protested against the recently implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the new criminal code, which includes heightened penalties for hit-and-run cases. Truckers labelled the recently introduced legal provision for hit-and-run incidents in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, which has faced opposition from truckers in various states, as a “kaala kanoon" (black law).

According to the new BNS provision, “Whoever causes the death of any person by rash and negligent driving of vehicle not amounting to culpable homicide, and escapes without reporting it to a police officer or a magistrate soon after the incident, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description of a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine." The updated provisions now entail a potential 10-year jail term or a fine of ₹7 lakh if a truck driver leaves the scene of an accident without reporting it to the authorities. This marks a significant increase compared to the previous Indian Penal Code (IPC), where the punishment for such offences was limited to 2-year imprisonment.

“Ye kanoon abhi tak laagu nahi hai (This law has not been implemented yet) ... Ham ye kanoon laagu nahi hone denge (We will not allow these laws to be implemented)," AIMTC Chairman-organising committee Bal Mankit Singh said.