Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Kamini Lau ordered jail terms for Haryana residents Sukhvinder and Pradeep, besides imposing a fine of Rs one lakh on each of them for killing truck owner Jagbir and assaulting and grievously injuring Harbir and Sombir, the vehicle's conductor and helper.
"Unfortunately in India, road rage which was initially rare, has now with acquisition of new economic wealth by many, become a frequent phenomena. With increased materialism, a scratch on one's car has become more important than the life of another," said ASJ Lau.
"It is time that we in India recognise this aggressive behavioural rage as a mental issue which is a result of intermittent explosive disorder. Keeping in view a recent rise in road rage cases, not only imposition of heinous sections but a stricter punishment to those who take laws into their hands, is a need of hour.
"It is time to realise that exhibiting an improper rowdy behaviour and losing one's temper can land one in a serious problem. A person who does not exercise any control over his emotions and bullies another on the road thereby taking law into his hands, does not deserve any leniency," the court said.
The prosecution case dated back to March 2007, when the accused had beaten the victims with sticks and kitchen knives at Neelwal village in West Delhi after the truck brushed past their car, leaving a few scratches on the car.
After battering the victims, the duo had left the spot. Jagbir, who had slipped into coma due to battering, died in the hospital. MORE