Furnish SOP Followed In Road Accident Cases: High Court Directs Delhi Police Commissioner

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Commissioner of Delhi Police to inform if there is any standard operating procedure (SOP) which is followed in respect of the road accident cases.

Justice Prathiba M Singh was hearing a plea filed by parents of a 26 year old young man who died in a road accident while travelling in a car hired from Zoomcar. The family alleged that the driver of the rented vehicle was drunk while driving the car.

Calling it an "unfortunate case", the court directed that the said SOP be placed on record within a period of six weeks.

"Before proceeding further, the court directs the Commissioner of Police to place on record any standard operating procedure (SOP) that the police follows in respect of accident cases either in cases of injuries or death," the court ordered.

The court also directed the police to place on record the relevant scheme or policy they have for awarding compensation as sought in the plea.

The counsel appearing for the parents apprised the court that the blood sample of the driver was not submitted in time by the investigating officer, for analysis. The court was also informed that the sample was delayed for about three months.

The counsel also submitted that even requisite CCTV footage was not collected by IO in the matter.

It was thus the case of the parents that the delay in the procedure including examination of blood sample had denied them a fair trial, in view of their allegation that the driver was drunk while driving the vehicle.