Punjab & Haryana High Court Acquits Bus Driver In Death By Negligence Case: Motorcyclist Failed To Ensure Road Was Clear Before Turning

The Punjab & Haryana High Court acquitted a bus driver charged with causing death by negligence under Section 304A IPC, holding that he could not be blamed when the deceased motorcyclist suddenly turned without ensuring that the road was clear. The Court analyzed the accident circumstances, witness testimonies, and the positioning of the vehicles. It concluded that criminal negligence requires gross or reckless conduct, not mere error of judgment. The evidence showed that the motorcyclist’s abrupt maneuver was the primary cause of the accident. The Court reiterated that criminal courts must differentiate between civil negligence and criminal negligence, and conviction cannot be based on assumptions or sympathy.