Shahi Calls for Attempted Murder Charges Over Accidents Caused by Poor Roads

Rastriya Prajatantra Party parliamentary party leader Gyan Bahadur Shahi has demanded a legal provision allowing cases of attempted murder to be filed against concerned government agencies and contractors if road accidents occur due to poor road conditions.

Speaking at Sunday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Shahi said the state must also be held accountable at a time when discussions are underway about imposing strict penalties, including fines of up to Rs 100,000, on citizens who violate traffic rules.

He said he was not opposed to enforcing traffic laws and punishing violations. However, he argued that the law should not be designed only to punish citizens while allowing state agencies to avoid responsibility for unsafe roads, faulty traffic systems and delays in public services.

“The government has recently brought up the issue of strict legal punishment for those who violate traffic rules. There is talk of making such rules, and the police have also submitted a report. I am not opposing that. Rules must be followed, and action must be taken. We are ready for that, and citizens should also be ready,” Shahi said.

He added that if citizens are required to pay fines of up to Rs 100,000 for traffic violations, the state should also face penalties for its own failures.

“If a citizen has to pay up to Rs 100,000 for violating traffic rules, then I say that should be paid. But will the state be responsible or not? Can the state do whatever it wants?” he asked.

Shahi proposed that if a pothole is found on a road and is not repaired within 24 hours, the state should be required to pay a fine of Rs 100,000. He also proposed a fine of Rs 100,000 if a traffic light is found to be out of order.

He further suggested a fine of Rs 50,000 if traffic police behave rudely with citizens, Rs 50,000 if streetlights are not working at night, and Rs 50,000 if a driving license is not issued within one week after a person passes the trial test.

Shahi said accidents caused by potholes, damaged roads or negligence in road maintenance should not be treated as ordinary administrative failures. He urged the law minister, through the Speaker, to introduce a law under which concerned agencies and contractors could face attempted murder charges if citizens are injured in accidents caused by poor road conditions.

“If any citizen meets with an accident because of a pothole or because of the poor condition of the road, I request the law minister, through the Speaker, to bring a law to file attempted murder cases against the concerned agency and the contractor,” he said.

He said laws should not be introduced merely to punish the public. According to Shahi, the purpose of law should be to make citizens, state agencies, contractors and service providers equally responsible.

Shahi also accused the government of failing to act in the interest of the people. He said citizens continue to suffer due to poor road infrastructure, weak traffic management, delays in licensing and negligence by concerned authorities.