Drink and Drive is not only a Serious Offence, but it is Illegal too: SC

According to the Supreme Court, driving under the influence of alcohol is not only a serious misconduct but also a sever offence. Nobody should be allowed to operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. A bench consisting of Justices M R Shah and B V Nagarathna stated that driving a vehicle when drunk can endanger the lives of others and thus this is a serious offence. The court ordered the compulsory retirement of a police truck driver who was accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing an accident in 2000 while transporting personnel to Kumbh Mela duty from Fatehpur to Allahabad.

The bench also stated that driving a truck carrying PAC – Provincial Armed Constabulary – personnel while under the influence of alcohol is very serious offence, and such indiscipline cannot be tolerated, especially in the disciplined Military.

However, the court changed the punishment from dismissal to mandatory retirement, citing that it was too harsh and that the driver had served for long 25 years. Family members of driver Brijesh Chandra Dwivedi contended the disciplinary authority’s dismissal from service was disproportionate since the employee had died, and no loss had occurred as a result of the accident.