Punishment under section 304A IPC absolutely inadequate: SC

New Delhi, Aug 26 (PTI) The Supreme Court today termed as"absolutely inadequate" the maximum punishment for causingdeath by rash or negligent act, of up to two years jail termand a fine prescribed for the offence under the IPC. The apex court sought the assistance of Attorney General(AG) Mukul Rohatgi to apprise it about the request made by itthrough its two judgements to Parliament for making thepunishment harsher for the offence under section 304A (causingdeath by rash or negligent act) of the IPC. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and C Nagappan said theapex court had twice earlier urged Parliament to consider thisissue to make the punishment "harsher" for the offence. Section 304A IPC prescribes two year jail term along withfine or both. Referring to the earlier judgements, the bench said itwas "clearly indicated that punishment provided under section304A of IPC is absolutely inadequate". "We would like to hear the Attorney General on thisissue," the bench said and asked Additional Solicitor GeneralManinder Singh to apprise the AG about it. The bench, which posted the matter for hearing on August30, also observed that the apex court had requested Parliamentto amend section 304A IPC so that harsher punishment could beimposed on the offenders. The court’s observation came while it was hearing apetition on the issue regarding death by negligent act. The bench told the petitioner that there was no merit inhis plea but said it would hear AG on this issue. "Your special leave petition has no merit. You be aroundwhen this matter comes up for hearing. Let the AttorneyGeneral come and say what is going on. Let him say whethersection 304A IPC requires amendment or not," the bench said.PTI ABA MNL RKSARC