Take Care Of Patients, Upload Video Against Reckless Driving: Madras HC's Bail Conditions For 22-Year-Old Motorcycle Enthusiast

While granting anticipatory bail to a young motorcycle enthusiast, the Madras High Court has imposed certain conditions on him such as staying in Trauma Ward and assisting the Ward Boys to take care of the patients, uploading a video on his Instagram account against reckless driving, distributing pamphlets containing awareness against reckless driving among others.

In this case, the petitioner, who is a 22-year-old motorcycle enthusiast, had approached Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail apprehending his arrest for the offences punishable under Sections 279 and 308 of Indian Penal Code r/w 128, 177, 184, 188 of Motor Vehicles Act 1988.

The case of the prosecution was that while on duty, the Sub Inspector of Police, had received a video message through whatsapp showing that, 4 persons along with pillion riders totaling 8 persons have driven their motorcycles recklessly in a zig zag manner in Anna Salai, creating loud noise, causing panic and hazard to the other vehicle users and pedestrians.

The bench of Justice A.D. Jagadish Chandira observed that "…taking into consideration the age of the petitioner and that if the petitioner is arrested and sent to jail, it would affect his future /career and further, the entire episode is available in CCTV footage, this Court is of the opinion that custodial interrogation is not required and anticipatory bail may be granted to the petitioner by imposing certain conditions that would in a way reform him."

The Court ordered that the petitioner shall be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the Magistrate concerned, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed.

The Court further imposed conditions that the petitioner shall stay at Chennai and report before the Duty Doctor, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai in Trauma Ward, and assist the Ward Boys to take care of the patients at Trauma Ward for a period of 3 weeks from the date of execution of sureties.

The Court also directed the petitioner to upload a video in his Instagram account against reckless driving, drunken driving and insisting of wearing helmets and seat belts during driving.

The Court further imposed conditions on the petitioner to distribute the pamphlets containing awareness messages against reckless driving, drunken driving and insisting for wearing helmets and seat belts during driving.

Cause Title- Crl.O.P. No.22678 of 2022

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