Judgement of the Supreme Court of India regarding protection of bystanders and passers-by who help the victims of road accidents, 30/03/2016

Judgement of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of Savelife Foundation & Others Vs. Union of India & Others dated 30/03/2016. The petition has been filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India in public interest for the development of supportive legal framework to protect Samaritans i.e. bystanders and passers-by who render the help to the victims of road accidents. These individuals can play a significant role in order to save lives of the victims by either immediately rushing them to the hospital or providing immediate life saving first aid.

The Apex Court in its Judgement said that "the court should not normally insist on appearance of Good Samaritans as that causes delay, expenses and inconvenience. The concerned court should exercise the power to appoint the Commission for examination of Good Samaritans in accordance with the provisions contained in section 284 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 suo motu or on an application moved for that purpose, unless for the reasons to be recorded personal presence of good Samaritan in court is considered necessary".

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