REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

Criminal Appeal No. 905 of 2010 

THE STATE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH       …APPELLANT

Versus

RAMCHANDRA RABIDAS @ RATAN RABIDAS & ANR.

…RESPONDENTS

WITH

Criminal Appeal No. 906 of 2010 

THE STATE OF TRIPURA        …APPELLANT

Versus

RAMCHANDRA RABIDAS @ RATAN RABIDAS

  …RESPONDENT

J U D G M E N T

INDU MALHOTRA, J.  

1.The issue which has arisen for consideration in the present

Criminal   Appeals   is   whether   the   Gauhati   High   Court   was

justified in issuing directions that road traffic offences shall be

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dealt with only under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act,

1988 (“M.V. Act”), and in holding that in cases of road traffic or

motor   vehicle   offences,   prosecution   under   the   provisions   of

Indian Penal Code,1860 (“IPC”) is without sanction of law, and

recourse to the provisions of the IPC would be unsustainable in

law?

2.The Gauhati High Court, Agartala bench   vide  the impugned

judgment dated 22.12.2008 held that:

i.Sections 183 and 184 of the M.V. Act, which relate to

driving   of   motor   vehicles   at   excessive   speeds   and

dangerously, and other offences under Chapter XIII of the

M.V. Act are compoundable before the Police, or in court,

and that no further proceeding shall be taken against the

accused after he has pleaded guilty. On this premise, it

was held “that the provisions of Cr.P.C must succumb to

the   statutory   provisions   to   the   M.V.Act,   and   any

investigation, inquiry or trial contrary to the same, would

be   illegal   and   unsustainable   in   law”.   [Para   14   of   the

impugned judgment].

ii.The IPC and Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (“Cr.P.C”)

are placed in Entry No. 1 and 2 of the Concurrent List of

the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The

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M.V. Act,1988 falls under Entry No. 35 of the Concurrent

List.

Hence, the status of the M.V. Act is at par with the IPC

and Cr.P.C, and it cannot be presumed that M.V. Act is

either a subordinate legislation, or inferior to the IPC and

Cr.P.C in status.  [Para 21 of the impugned judgment]

iii.Section 5 of the IPC removes any kind of ambiguity about

the   conviction   and   punishment   of   offenders   under   a

special enactment, which covers the field. Section 208 of

the   M.V.   Act   has   laid   down   a   special   procedure   for

disposal of road traffic offences. Hence, recourse to the

IPC would offend Section 5 of the IPC. 

Section 5 of the IPC recognizes the supremacy of the

special laws, which cannot be diluted under the garb of

Section 26 of the General Clauses Act, 1897. [Paras 24­

26 of the impugned judgment]

iv.The prosecution of road traffic offences under the IPC is

not permitted, since it has no sanction of law. The only

exception to this rule would be where the offence cannot

be adequately punished under the M.V. Act.  [Para 24­26

of the impugned judgment]

v.Since   road   traffic   offences   can   be   regulated   and

adequately dealt with under the provisions of MV Act,

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resort to the provisions of the IPC, which is a general law

should be avoided. [Para 28 of the impugned judgment]

vi.Sections   183   to   188   of   the   MV   Act,   which   relate   to

punishment for driving at excessive speed or dangerously

or   in  a  drunken  condition,  etc.,   are   silent   about   the

outcome of the accidents. These penal provisions do not

prescribe any separate punishment for causing hurt to

people or for damaging any property. However, this does

not mean that the Legislature was not aware or totally

oblivious to the consequences of dangerous driving while

enacting   the   M.V.   Act.   [Para   30   of   the   impugned

judgment] 

vii.If a person cannot be convicted for causing hurt to any

person   while   driving   a   motor   vehicle   in   a   rash   and

dangerous   manner   under   the   MV   Act,   then   the   said

offender cannot also be convicted under the IPC, since

the IPC does not expressly take within its purview road

traffic offences. [Para 30 of the impugned judgment]

viii.To   permit   the   prosecution   of   offenders   under   the

provisions of any other penal law other than the M.V. Act

in   cases   of   motor   vehicle   offences   would   amount   to

overriding the M.V. Act, which is a special enactment

framed   by   Parliament   for   motor   vehicle   offences.   By

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invoking provisions of the IPC for motor vehicle offences,

the basic character and structure of the M.V. Act would

get distorted, and would not help in curbing the rising

rate of motor vehicle accidents.  [Para 33 of the impugned

judgment]

ix.Prosecution of offenders in cases of road traffic accidents

must be carried out under the M.V. Act as a general rule

subject to one exception i.e to try offenders in cases of

culpable homicide not amounting to murder under S. 304

IPC,   because   sentence   of   imprisonment   of   6   months

provided under the M.V. Act appears to be inadequate,

going by the rising rate of violent road accidents. 

The prosecution of offenders under the provisions of

the   IPC   is   violative   of   settled   principles   of   law   and

contrary to the legislative intent of the M.V. Act. [Para 37

and 37.1 of the impugned judgment]

x.The High Court directed the States of Assam, Nagaland,

Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal

Pradesh,   and   to   issue   appropriate   directions   to   all

subordinate officers to ordinarily register cases against

offenders   of   motor   vehicle   accidents   only   under   the

provisions of the M.V. Act subject to the exception under

S. 304 IPC. 

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3.The present Special Leave Petitions have been filed by the States

of Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh before this Court, wherein

vide Orders dated 12.05.2009 and 31.07.2009, the operation of

the impugned judgment was stayed. 

This Court  vide  Order dated 26.04.2010 granted special

leave to appeal, and directed that the stay of the impugned

judgment would continue to operate during the pendency of the

appeals. 

4.Despite service of notice, none appeared for the Respondents.

Since there is no contest to the adjudication on the merits of the

case, we are not touching upon that part of the judgment. 

5.The M.V. Act is a beneficial legislation, the primary objective

being to provide a statutory scheme for compensation of victims

of motor vehicle accidents; or, their family members who are

rendered helpless and disadvantaged by the untimely death or

injuries caused to a member of the family, if the claim is found

to  be   genuine.

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 The   Act   provides   a   summary   procedure   for

claiming compensation for the loss sustained in an accident,

which is otherwise applicable to suits and other proceedings

while prosecuting a claim before a civil court.

2

1 The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. vs. C. Padma and Ors. (2003) 7 SCC 713; Deepal Girishbhai Soni and

Ors. v. United India Insurance Co. Ltd. (2004) 5 SCC 385

2 Vimla Devi and Ors. vs. National Insurance Company Limited and Ors. (2019) 2 SCC 186

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5.1The M.V. Act repealed the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939. The

need   was   felt   to   take   into   account   changes   in   road

transport   technology,   pattern   of   passenger   and   freight

movements,   development   of   the   road   network   in   the

country   and   particularly   improved   techniques   in  motor

vehicle management. 

In M.K. Kunhimohammed v. P.A. Ahmedkutty and Ors .

3

,

this   Court   made   suggestions   for   raising   the   limit   of

compensation payable in motor vehicle accidents wherein

death and permanent disablement had occurred, even in

the event of there being no fault on the part of the person

driving   the   offending   vehicle,   and   also   in   hit   and   run

accidents.   The   said   suggestions   were   taken   into

consideration by the Legislature and incorporated in the

M.V. Act, 1988. 

5.2Chapter XIII of the M.V. Act, 1988 deals with “Offences,

Penalties and Procedure”. It deals with offences relating to

contraventions of the provisions of the M.V. Act, or any

rule,   regulation   or   notification   made   thereunder.   It

primarily deals with offences relating to licenses, driving of

vehicles   by   unauthorized   persons,   control   of   traffic,

3 (1987) 4 SCC 284: AIR 1987 SC 2158

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maintenance   of   motor   vehicles,   using   a   vehicle   in   an

unsafe condition, or without registration or permit, driving

beyond speed limits, driving dangerously or driving by a

drunken person, or by a person under the influence of

drugs, etc. 

5.3The relevant provisions of the M.V. Act,1988 (as they stood

at the time of commission of the offence in question) which

are necessary to advert to are extracted herein below:

183. Driving at excessive speed, etc. – (1) Whoever drives a motor vehicle in

contravention of the speed limits referred to in section 112 shall be punishable

with fine which may extend to four hundred rupees, or, if having been

previously convicted of an offence under this sub-section is again convicted of

an offence under this sub-section, with fine which may extend to one thousand

rupees.

(2) Whoever causes any person who is employed by him or is subject to his

control in driving to drive a motor vehicle in contravention of the speed limits

referred to in section 112 shall be punishable with fine which may extend to

three hundred rupees, or, if having been previously convicted of an offence

under this sub-section, is again convicted of an offence under this subsection,

with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

(3) No person shall be convicted of an offence punishable under subsection (1)

solely on the evidence of one witness to the effect that in the opinion of the

witness such person was driving at a speed which was unlawful, unless that

opinion is shown to be based on an estimate obtained by the use of some

mechanical device.

(4) The publication of a time table under which, or the giving of any direction

that any journey or part of journey is to be completed within a specified time

shall, if in the opinion of the Court it is not practicable in the circumstances of

the case for that journey or part of a journey to be completed in the specified

time without contravening the speed limits referred to in section 112 be prima

facie evidence that the person who published the time table or gave the

direction has committed an offence punishable under sub-section (2).

184. Driving dangerously — Whoever drives a motor vehicle at a speed or in

a manner which is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the

circumstances of the case including the nature, condition and use of the place

where the vehicle is driven and the amount of traffic which actually is at the

time or which might reasonably be expected to be in the place, shall be

punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend

8

to six months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, and for

any second or subsequent offence if committed within three years of the

commission of a previous similar offence with imprisonment for a term which

may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to two thousand

rupees, or with both.

185. Driving by a drunken person or by a person under the influence of

drugs. - Whoever, while driving, or attempting to drive, a motor vehicle,--

(a) has, in his blood, alcohol exceeding 30 mg. per 100 ml. of blood detected in

a test by a breath analyser, or

(b) is under the influence of a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of

exercising proper control over the vehicle.

shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which

may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand

rupees, or with both; and for a second or subsequent offence with

imprisonment for term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may

extend to three thousand rupees, or with both

Explanation.-- For the purposes of this section, the drug or drugs specified by

the Central Government in this behalf, by notification in the Official Gazette,

shall be deemed to render a person incapable of exercising proper control over

a motor vehicle.

187. Punishment for offences relating to accident. – Whoever fails to comply

with the provisions of clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 132 or of section

133 or section 134 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which

may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred

rupees, or with both or, if having been previously convicted of an offence under

this section, he is again convicted of an offence under this section, with

imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which

may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

208. Summary disposal of cases - (1) The Court taking cognizance of any

offence (other than an offence which the Central Government may by rules

specify in this behalf) under this Act,--

(i) may, if the offence is an offence punishable with imprisonment under this

Act; and

(ii) shall, in any other case, state upon the summons to be served on the

accused person that he--

(a) may appear by pleader or in person; or

(b) may, by a specified date prior to the hearing of the charge, plead guilty to

the charge and remit to the Court, by money order, such sum (not exceeding the

maximum fine that may be imposed for the offence) as the Court may specify,

and the plea of guilt indicated in the money order coupon itself:

Provided that the Court shall, in the case of any of the offences referred to in

sub-section (2), state upon the summons that the accused person, if he pleads

guilty, shall so plead in the manner specified in clause (b) and shall forward

his driving licence to the Court with his letter containing such plea.

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(2) Where the offence dealt with in accordance with sub-section (1)is an

offence specified by the Central Government by rules for the purposes of this

sub-section, the Court shall, if the accused person pleads guilty to the charge

and forward his driving licence to the Court with the letter containing his plea,

make an endorsement of such conviction on his driving licence.

(3) Where an accused person pleads guilty and remits the sum specified and

has complied with the provisions of sub-section (1), or as the case may be, sub-

sections (1) and (2), no further proceedings in respect of the offence shall be

taken against him nor shall he be liable, notwithstanding anything to the

contrary contained in this Act, to be disqualified for holding or obtaining a

licence by reason of his having pleaded guilty.

209. Restriction on conviction. - No person prosecuted for an offence

punishable under section 183 or section 184 shall be convicted unless--

(a) he was warned at the time the offence was committed that the question of

prosecuting him would be taken into consideration, or

(b) within fourteen days from the commission of the offence, a notice specifying

the nature of the offence and the time and place where it is alleged to have

been committed was served on or sent by registered post to him or the person

registered as the owner of the vehicle at the time of the commission of the

offence, or

(c) within twenty-eight days of the commission of the offence, a summons for

the offence was served on him:

Provided that nothing, in this section shall apply where the Court is satisfied

that--

(a) the failure to serve the notice or summons referred to in this sub-section

was due to the fact that neither the name and address of the accused nor the

name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle could with reasonable

diligence have been ascertained in time, or

(b) such failure was brought about by the conduct of the accused.”

5.4Section 183 provides for the offence of driving a vehicle at

excessive speed in contravention of the speed limits referred

in Section 112 of the M.V. Act; while Section 184 M.V. Act

deals with the offence of driving dangerously. In order to

constitute   an   offence   under   Section   184,   the   following

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ingredients   are   required   to   be   proved:  (a)   the   accused

should be driving a motor vehicle; (b) the vehicle should be

driven at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the

public  having regard to all the circumstances of a case,

including the nature, condition and use of the place where

the vehicle is driven and the volume of traffic at the time of

the accident or which might reasonably be expected to be in

the place. 

Section 183 and 184 must be read with Section 209 of

M.V.   Act,   which   provides   that   a   warning,  notice or

summons, is mandatorily required to be given for an offence

punishable under Section 183 or 184.

5.5Section 185 of the M.V. Act pertains to the offences of

driving   after   consuming   alcohol,   or   driving   under   the

influence   of   drugs.   Any   person   who   while   driving   or

attempting to drive, (a) has alcohol exceeding 30 mg. per

100 ml. present in his blood, detected by a breath analyser;

or (b) is under the influence of a drug to such an extent that

he is incapable of exercising proper control over the vehicle,

shall be guilty of an offence under Section 185 of the M.V.

Act.

5.6Section 187 pertains to offences arising from accidents. The

offence is for breach of duty and failure to comply with the

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provisions of Section 132(1)(c) or Section 133 or Section 134

of the M.V. Act. 

Clause (c) of Section 132 (1) was omitted by S. 40 of

the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 1994   (w.e.f. 14­11­

1994); Section 133 relates to the duty of the owner to give

information regarding the name and address of, and the

licence held by, the driver or conductor, who is accused of

any offence under this Act on the demand of any police

officer; while Section 134 relates to the duty of the driver in

case of an accident and injury to a person, to take all

reasonable steps to secure medical attention for the injured

person, by conveying him to the nearest medical practitioner

or   hospital,   and   providing   necessary   information   to   the

police and insurer of the vehicle about the accident. 

5.7The offences under Chapter XIII of the MV Act provide a

summary   procedure   for   disposal   of   cases,   which   are

compoundable in nature under Section 208 (3) of the M.V.

Act. Section 208(3) provides that if an accused pleads guilty

and deposits the fine imposed, then “no further proceeding

in respect of offence shall be taken against him nor shall he

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be liable, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained

in this Act, to be disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence

by reason of his having pleaded guilty”.

5.8The IPC, on the other hand, is punitive and deterrent in

nature. The principal aim and object is to punish offenders

for   offences   committed   under   the   IPC.   The   relevant

provisions of the IPC which are necessary to advert to are

extracted herein below:

5. Certain laws not to be affected by this Act .- Nothing in this Act shall

affect the provisions of any Act for punishing mutiny and desertion of officers,

soldiers, sailors or airmen in the service of the Government of India or the

provisions of any special or local law.

279. Rash driving or riding on a public way.- Whoever drives any vehicle, or

rides, on any public way in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger

human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, shall be

punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend

to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with

both.

304. Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder .

Whoever commits culpable homicide not amounting to murder, shall be

punished with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for

a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine, if the act

by which the death is caused is done with the intention of causing death, or of

causing such bodily injury as is likely to cause death;

or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend

to ten years, or with fine, or with both, if the act is done with the knowledge

that it is likely to cause death, but without any intention to cause death, or to

cause such bodily injury as is likely to cause death.

304A. Causing death by negligence - Whoever causes the death of any

person by doing any rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide,

shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which

may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

337. Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others. -

Whoever causes hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently

as to endanger human life, or the personal safety of others, shall be punished

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with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six

months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.

338. Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of

others. - Whoever causes grievous hurt to any person by doing any act so

rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or the personal safety of

others, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term

which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand

rupees, or with both.

5.9Section   279   IPC   falls   under   Chapter   XIV   –   “Offences

affecting Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency And

Morals”,   and   provides   for   offences   relating   to   rash   and

negligent driving which endanger human life. 

Section 279 IPC makes rash driving, or riding on a

public   road,   punishable   if   such   rash   driving   or   riding

endangers human life, or is likely to cause hurt or injury to

any person. It is the rash or negligent manner of driving or

riding which endangers human life, or is likely to cause hurt

or injury to any person, which constitutes an offence under

Section 279 IPC. 

5.10Sections 304 Part II, 304A, 337 and 338 IPC fall under

Chapter XVI – “Offences Affecting the Human Body” which

makes provision for offences relating to culpable homicide

not amounting to murder, causing death by negligence by

doing   any   rash   or   negligent   act,   and   causing   hurt   or

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grievous hurt, by endangering the life or personal safety of

others. 

5.11Where   the   rash   or   negligent   driving   results   in   hurt   or

grievous hurt being caused to any person, an offence under

Section 337 or 338 IPC is committed. 

5.12Where the rash or negligent driving, results in the death of a

person, without the knowledge that the said act will cause

death,   Section   304A   IPC   would   be   applicable.   In   other

words, Section 304A applies to cases where there is no

intention to cause death, and no knowledge that the act

done  in all  probability  will cause death.  Negligence  and

rashness are essential elements of Section 304A.

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The   three   ingredients   of   Section   304­A,   which   are

required to be proved are: (1) the death of a human being;

(2) the accused caused the death; and (3) the death was

caused by the doing of a rash or negligent act, though it did

not amount to culpable homicide of either description.

5

The requirement of culpable rashness under S.304A

IPC is more drastic than negligence sufficient under the law

of tort to create liability.

6

   Criminal or culpable rashness

means   hazarding   a   dangerous   or   wanton   act   with   the

4 Naresh Giri v. State of M.P. (2008) 1 SCC 791; Rathnashalvan v. State of Karnataka, (2007) 3 SCC 474 :

(2007) 2 SCC (Cri) 84

5 Alister Anthony Pareira v. State of Maharashtra (2012) 2 SCC 648 : (2012) 1 SCC (Civ) 848 : (2012) 1 SCC

(Cri) 953

6 N.K.V Bros (P) Ltd. v. M. Karumai Ammal & Ors. (1980) 3 SCC 457

15

knowledge that it is dangerous or wanton, and the further

knowledge that it may cause injury, but done without any

intention to cause injury or knowledge that the act would

probably cause.

7

5.13When a person drives a vehicle so recklessly, rashly or

negligently that it causes the death of a person, and of

which he had knowledge as a reasonable man, that such act

was dangerous enough to cause death, he may be attributed

with the knowledge of the consequence, and may held liable

for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which is

punishable under Section 304 Part II IPC. 

5.14Sections 279, 304­A, 337 and 338 IPC may be invoked only

if the act of the accused is a negligent or rash act. It is

manifest from the scheme of Sections 279, 304­A, 336, 337

and 338 IPC that these offences are punishable because of

the   inherent   danger   of   the   acts   specified   therein,

irrespective of the knowledge or intention of the offender. 

With   respect   to   Section   304   Part   II   IPC,   the

prosecution has to prove that the death of the person was

caused   by   the   act   of   the   accused,   and   that   he   had

knowledge that such act was likely to cause death.

8

  To

7 Rathnashalvan v. State of Karnataka, (2007) 3 SCC 474 : (2007) 2 SCC (Cri) 84

8 Alister Anthony Pareira v. State of Maharashtra (2012) 2 SCC 648 : (2012) 1 SCC (Civ) 848 : (2012) 1 SCC

(Cri) 953

16

constitute an offence under this Section, the knowledge of

the offender as required under Section 300 IPC is to be

proved and established. 

6.In our view there is no conflict between the provisions of the IPC

and the MV Act. Both the statutes operate in entirely different

spheres.   The   offences   provided   under   both   the   statutes   are

separate and distinct from each other. The penal consequences

provided   under   both   the   statutes   are  also   independent   and

distinct from each other. The ingredients of offences under the

both statutes, as discussed earlier, are different, and an offender

can be tried and punished independently under both statutes.

The principle that the special law should prevail over the general

law, has no application in cases of prosecution of offenders in

road accidents under the IPC and M.V. Act.

7.It is pertinent to mention that there is no provision under the

M.V. Act which separately deals with offences causing death, or

grievous hurt, or hurt by a motor vehicle in cases of motor

vehicle accidents.  Chapter XIII of the M.V. Act is silent about

the act of rash and negligent driving resulting in death, or hurt,

or grievous hurt, to persons nor does it prescribe any separate

punishment for the same; whereas Sections 279, 304 Part II,

17

304A, 337 and 338 of the IPC have been specifically framed to

deal with such offences.

8.Section 26 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 provides, “Where an

act   or   omission   constitutes   an   offence   under   two   or   more

enactments, then the offender shall be liable to be prosecuted

and punished under either or any of those enactments, but shall

not be liable to be punished twice for the same offence.” 

It is well settled that an act or an omission can constitute

an offence under the IPC and at the same time, be an offence

under any other law. The finding of the High Court that the

prosecution of offenders under two statutes i.e. the M.V. Act and

the IPC, is unsustainable and contrary to law, is therefore, set

aside. 

A similar issue arose in the case of  T.S. Baliah v. T.S.

Rangachari 

9

, wherein the appellant was prosecuted both under

Section 177 of the IPC, and Section 52 of the Income Tax Act,

1922. This Court held as follows:

“6. We proceed to consider the next question arising in this case viz. whether the

appellant can be prosecuted both under Section 177 of the Indian Penal Code and

Section 52 of the 1922 Act [Income Tax Act, 1922] at the same time. It was argued

on behalf of the appellant that in view of the provisions of Section 26 of the

General clauses Act (Act 10 of 1897) the appellant can be prosecuted either under

Section 52 of the 1922 Act or under Section 177 of the Indian Penal Code and not

9 (1969) 3 SCR 65 : AIR 1969 SC 701 : (1969) 72 ITR 787

18

under both the sections at the same time. We are unable to accept this argument

as correct. Section 26 of the General clauses Act states:

“26. Provision as to offences punishable under two or more enactments.—

Where an act or omission constitutes an offence under two or more enactments,

then the offender shall be liable to be prosecuted and punished under either or

any of those enactments, but shall not be liable to be punished twice for the same

offence.”

A plain reading of the section shows that there is no bar to the trial or conviction

of the offender under both enactments but there is only a bar to the punishment of

the offender twice for the same offence. In other words, the section provides that

where an act or omission constitutes an offence under two enactments, the

offender may be prosecuted and punished under either or both the enactments but

shall not be liable to be punished twice for the same offence. We accordingly

reject the argument of the appellant on this aspect of the case.”

[emphasis supplied]

Similarly, in State of Maharashtra v. Sayyed Hassan

10

, the

accused was prosecuted under Sections 26 and 30 of the Food

and Safety Standards Act, 2006 as well as Sections 188, 272,

273 and 328 of the IPC for transportation and sale of prohibited

gutka/pan masala. The High Court held that Section 55 of the

Food and Safety Standards Act, 2006 being a specific provision

made   in   a   special   enactment,   Section   188 of   the   IPC   was

inapplicable.  

The Supreme Court remanded the matter to the High Court,

and held that :

“8. There is no bar to a trial or conviction of an offender under two different

enactments, but the bar is only to the punishment of the offender twice for the

offence. Where an act or an omission constitutes an offence under two

enactments, the offender may be prosecuted and punished under either or both

10 Criminal Appeal No. 1195-1207 of 2018, Decided on September 20, 2018

19

enactments but shall not be liable to be punished twice for the same offence. The

same set of facts, in conceivable cases, can constitute offences under two different

laws. An act or an omission can amount to and constitute an offence under the

IPC and at the same time, an offence under any other law. The High Court ought

to have taken note of Section 26 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 which reads as

follows:

“Provisions as to offences punishable under two or more enactments

-Where an act or omission constitutes an offence under two or more enactments,

then the offender shall be liable to be prosecuted and punished under either or

any of those enactments, but shall not be liable to be punished twice for the same

offence.”

9. In Hat Singh's case this Court discussed the doctrine of double jeopardy and

Section 26 of the General Clauses Act to observe that prosecution under two

different Acts is permissible if the ingredients of the provisions are satisfied on the

same facts. While considering a dispute about the prosecution of the Respondent

therein for offences under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)

Act 1957 and Indian Penal Code, this Court in State (NCT of

Delhi) v. Sanjay held that there is no bar in prosecuting persons under the Penal

Code where the offences committed by persons are penal and cognizable offences.

A perusal of the provisions of the FSS Act would make it clear that there is no bar

for prosecution under the IPC merely because the provisions in the FSS Act

prescribe penalties. We, therefore, set aside the finding of the High Court on the

first point.”

[emphasis supplied]

9.The legislative intent of the MV Act, and in particular Chapter

XIII   of   the   MV   Act,   was   not   to   override   or   supersede   the

provisions of the IPC in so far as convictions of offenders in

motor vehicle accidents are concerned. Offences under Chapter

XIII of the MV Act, cannot abrogate the applicability of the

provisions under Sections 297, 304, 304A, 337 and 338 of the

IPC. The offences do not overlap, and therefore, the maxim of

20

“generalia specialibus nonderogant” is inapplicable, and could

not have been invoked. The offences prescribed under the IPC

are independent of the offences prescribed under the M.V. Act. It

cannot be said that prosecution of road traffic/motor vehicle

offenders under the IPC would offend Section 5 of the IPC, as

held by the High Court, in so far as punishment for offences

under the M.V. Act is concerned.

10.Considering the matter from a different perspective, offences

under Chapter XIII of the MV Act are compoundable in nature in

view of Section 208(3) of the MV Act, whereas offences under

Section 279, 304 Part II and 304A IPC are not. 

If the IPC gives way to the MV Act, and the provisions of

CrPC succumb to the provisions of the MV Act as held by the

High   Court,   then   even   cases   of   culpable   homicide   not

amounting to murder, causing death, or grievous hurt, or simple

hurt   by   rash   and   negligent   driving,   would   become

compoundable.   Such   an   interpretation   would   have   the

consequence  of  letting  an offender  get  away  with  a  fine  by

pleading guilty, without having to face any prosecution for the

offence committed. 

11.This Court has time and again emphasised on the need to

strictly punish offenders responsible for causing motor vehicle

21

accidents. With rapidly increasing motorisation, India is facing

an increasing burden of road traffic injuries and fatalities. The

financial loss, emotional and social trauma caused to a family

on losing a bread winner, or any other member of the family, or

incapacitation of the victim cannot be quantified. 

12.The   principle   of   proportionality   between   the   crime   and

punishment has to be borne in mind. The principle of just

punishment is the bedrock of sentencing in respect of a criminal

offence.

11

  The maximum imprisonment for a first time offence

under Chapter XIII of the M.V. Act, is up to only six months;

whereas the maximum imprisonment for a first time offence

under the IPC in relation to road traffic offences can go upto 10

years   under   Section   304   Part   II   of   the   IPC.   The   sentence

imposed   by   the   courts   should   be   commensurate   with   the

seriousness of the offence, and should have a deterring effect on

wrong­doers.

12

  The punishment of offenders of motor vehicle

accidents under the IPC is stricter and proportionate to the

offence committed, as compared with the M.V. Act. 

13.We thus hold that a prosecution, if otherwise maintainable,

would lie both under the IPC and the MV Act, since both the

statutes   operate   with   full   vigour,   in   their   own   independent

11 Gopal Singh v. State of Uttarakhand, (2013) 7 SCC 545 : (2013) 3 SCC (Cri) 608

12 State of Karnataka v. Sharanappa Basanagouda Aregoudar (2002) 3 SCC 738

22

spheres. Even assuming that some of the provisions of the MV

Act and IPC are overlapping, it cannot be said that the offences

under both the statutes are incompatible. 

14.The High Court has given a contradictory finding by holding on

the one hand that the provisions of the Cr.P.C must succumb to

the provisions of the M.V. Act, as executive authorities cannot

take away a beneficial provision under a special law enacted by

Parliament (para 14 of the impugned judgment), while on the

other hand, it has opined that the M.V. Act is not a complete

code in itself, and there is no complete bar to investigate road

traffic offences under the provisions of Cr.P.C. (para 23 of the

impugned judgment). 

15.In our considered view the position of law is well­settled. This

Court has consistently held that the M.V. Act,1988 is a complete

code   in   itself   in   so   far   as   motor   vehicles   are   concerned.

13

However, there is no bar under the M.V. Act or otherwise, to try

and prosecute offences under the IPC for an offence relating to

motor vehicle accidents. On this ground as well, the impugned

judgment is liable to be set aside. 

13 National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Annappa Irappa Nesaria, (2008) 3 SCC 464 : (2008) 2 SCC (Cri) 99 : (2008)

1 SCC (Civ) 945; Gottumukkala Appala Narasimha Raju v. National Insurance Co. Ltd., (2007) 13 SCC 446 :

(2008) 2 SCC (L&S) 662

23

16.The object behind punishing persons found guilty of causing

motor vehicle accidents has been succinctly stated by this Court

in Dalbir Singh vs. State of Haryana

14

 in the following words:

“11. Courts must bear in mind that when any plea is made based on Section 4 of the

PO Act for application to a convicted person under Section 304-A IPC, that road

accidents have proliferated to an alarming extent and the toll is galloping day by day

in India, and that no solution is in sight nor suggested by any quarter to bring them

down. When this Court lamented two decades ago that “more people die of road

accidents than by most diseases, so much so the Indian highways are among the top

killers of the country”, the saturation of accidents toll was not even half of what it is

today. So V.R. Krishna Iyer, J., has suggested in the said decision [Rattan

Singh v. State of Punjab, (1979) 4 SCC 719 : 1980 SCC (Cri) 17] thus: (SCC p. 720,

para 3)

“Rashness and negligence are relative concepts, not absolute abstractions. In our

current conditions, the law under Section 304-A IPC and under the rubric of

negligence, must have due regard to the fatal frequency of rash driving of heavy duty

vehicles and of speeding menaces.”

12. In State of Karnataka v. Krishna [(1987) 1 SCC 538 : 1987 SCC (Cri) 198] this

Court did not allow a sentence of fine, imposed on a driver who was convicted under

Section 304-A IPC to remain in force although the High Court too had confirmed the

said sentence when an accused was convicted of the offence of driving a bus callously

and causing the death of a human being. In that case this Court enhanced the

sentence to rigorous imprisonment for six months besides imposing a fine.

13. Bearing in mind the galloping trend in road accidents in India and the devastating

consequences visiting the victims and their families, criminal courts cannot treat the

nature of the offence under Section 304-A IPC as attracting the benevolent provisions

of Section 4 of the PO Act. While considering the quantum of sentence to be imposed

for the offence of causing death by rash or negligent driving of automobiles, one of

the prime considerations should be deterrence. A professional driver pedals the

accelerator of the automobile almost throughout his working hours. He must

constantly inform himself that he cannot afford to have a single moment of laxity or

inattentiveness when his leg is on the pedal of a vehicle in locomotion. He cannot and

should not take a chance thinking that a rash driving need not necessarily cause any

accident; or even if any accident occurs it need not necessarily result in the death of

any human being; or even if such death ensues he might not be convicted of the

offence; and lastly, that even if he is convicted he would be dealt with leniently by the

court. He must always keep in his mind the fear psyche that if he is convicted of the

14 (2000) 5 SCC 82

24

offence for causing death of a human being due to his callous driving of the vehicle

he cannot escape from a jail sentence. This is the role which the courts can play,

particularly at the level of trial courts, for lessening the high rate of motor accidents

due to callous driving of automobiles. ”

[emphasis supplied]

In Guru Basavaraj v. State of Karnataka

15

, the Court opined

that there is a constant concern of the Court on imposition of

adequate sentence in respect of commission of offences in cases

of motor vehicle accidents. In that case, the appellant was found

guilty for the offences punishable under Sections 337, 338, 279

and 304­A IPC and sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment

for six months along with fine. The Court held that:

“32. We may note with profit that an appropriate punishment works as an eye-opener

for the persons who are not careful while driving vehicles on the road and exhibit a

careless attitude possibly harbouring the notion that they would be shown indulgence

or lives of others are like ‘flies to the wanton boys’. They totally forget that the lives

of many are in their hands, and the sublimity of safety of a human being is given an

indecent burial by their rash and negligent act.

33. There can hardly be any cavil that there has to be a proportion between the crime

and the punishment. It is the duty of the court to see that appropriate sentence is

imposed regard being had to the commission of the crime and its impact on the social

order. The cry of the collective for justice which includes adequate punishment cannot

be lightly ignored.”

[emphasis supplied]

17.In view of the above discussion, we set aside the directions

issued   by   the   Gauhati   High  Court   to  the   States   of   Assam,

Nagaland,   Meghalaya,   Manipur,   Tripura,   Mizoram   and

Arunachal Pradesh to issue appropriate instructions to their

15 (2012) 8 SCC 734 : (2012) 4 SCC (Civ) 594 : (2013) 1 SCC (Cri) 972

25

subordinate   officers   to   prosecute   offenders   in   motor   vehicle

accidents   only   under   the   provisions   of   the   Motor   Vehicles

Act,1988 and not the IPC.

18.The Criminals Appeals are allowed in the aforesaid terms. The

interim   order   passed   on   26.04.2010   is   made   absolute.   All

pending Applications, if any, are accordingly disposed of. 

Ordered accordingly.

.......................................J.

(INDU MALHOTRA)

...…...............………………J.

(SANJIV KHANNA)

New Delhi;

October 4, 2019.

26