Can police lodge an FIR in case of accidental death?

Can police lodge an FIR in case of accidental death? I am going to my native place. On the way, I met an accident with a person. Later on that person died. Relative of that deceased person filed a FIR against me for the offence of murder. I came to know about the information in the First information report when the investigating officer came to my house for recording of my statement. It is very unfortunate that a relative of the deceased person lodged a false and frivolous FIR against me. Dead person was going on the wrong side of…

If that person has died due to injuries suffered in an accident the police have the power to lodge a first information report in the relevant sections of Indian Penal Code. You cannot prove that the FIR is false and frivolous only because the deceased was going on the wrong side of the road.

It is the matter of investigation that the death was caused due to the fault of the deceased or accused (you). Therefore, the high court shall not interfere in the investigation. At this stage, it is better for you to move the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution for protection against arrest. 

You should get a direction from the High Court that police shall not arrest the accused unless there is sufficient evidence about the intention of causing death. This protection will extend till the filing of charge sheet.

Intention to cause death is the essential ingredient for the offence of murder. In absence of intention to kill, the offence of murder is not made out. 

You had no intention to kill that person. It was an accident and the deceased also contributed to the accident (contributory negligence) because he was going on the wrong side. This is enough to get a protection against any coercive action of police. Then the police cannot arrest you.

This offence is punishable under the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act. When the victim dies the provisions of Indian Penal Code also attract. Hence, the FIR under Section 302 or 304 or 304A is not illegal. 

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Shivendra Pratap Singh

Shivendra Pratap Singh

Advocate

Advocate Shivendra, practicing law since 2005, specializes in criminal and matrimonial cases, extensive litigatin experience before the High Court, Sessions court & Family Court. He established kanoonirai.com in 2014 to provide dependable and pragmatic legal support. Over the years, he has successfully assisted thousands of clients, making the platform a trusted resource for criminal and matrimonial dispute resolution in India.

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