Punjab HC: Accident Deaths Not 'Heinous Offenses'

In a significant ruling, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has clarified that road accidents, irrespective of their outcome, do not constitute "heinous offences" unless malicious intent is evident. The court's decision, delivered while quashing an FIR related to a fatal accident, underscores that amicable settlements are permissible in such cases.

The High Court differentiated between accidental incidents and crimes involving physical violence or profound moral turpitude. It explained that heinous crimes typically involve acts like murder, rape, or terrorism, and clearly exclude mere accidents where 'mens rea' or criminal intent is absent. This distinction allows for more flexible resolution of accident-related disputes.

Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj issued the order, allowing a petition to quash an FIR filed after a collision between a car and a tractor-trolley resulted in a fatality. The court noted that the compromise reached between the involved parties was genuine and voluntary, ultimately saving judicial time by avoiding unnecessary litigation.