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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

President takes prompt cognizance

Mumbai: President Droupadi Murmu has taken immediate cognizance of a plea pointing at grave insults to the Indian Tricolour (Tiranga) in pubs and hotels, violations to the Flag Code of India, 2002, in the name of celebrating Republic Day and Independence Day. Pune businessman-cum-activist Prafful Sarda had shot off a complaint to the President on Jan. 26 but was surprised to receive a response from her office in less than 72 hours. Under Secretary Lakshmi Maharabooshanam in the President’s...

President takes prompt cognizance

Mumbai: President Droupadi Murmu has taken immediate cognizance of a plea pointing at grave insults to the Indian Tricolour (Tiranga) in pubs and hotels, violations to the Flag Code of India, 2002, in the name of celebrating Republic Day and Independence Day. Pune businessman-cum-activist Prafful Sarda had shot off a complaint to the President on Jan. 26 but was surprised to receive a response from her office in less than 72 hours. Under Secretary Lakshmi Maharabooshanam in the President’s Secretariat at Rashtrapati Bhavan, replied to Sarda on forwarding his complaint to the Ministry of Home Affairs for necessary action. It further stated that action taken in the matter must be conveyed directly to Sarda. “It’s a pleasant surprise indeed that the President has taken serious note of the issue of insults to the National Flag at night-clubs, pubs, lounges, sports bars and other places all over the country. The blatant mishandling of the National Flag also violates the specially laid-down provisions of the Flag Code of India,” said Sarda. He pointed out that the Tricolor is a sacred symbol and not a ‘commercial prop’ for entertainment purposes to be used by artists without disregard for the rules. “There are multiple videos, reels or photos available on social media… It's painful to view how the National Flag is being grossly misused, disrespected and even displayed at late nights or early morning hours, flouting the rules,” Sarda said. The more worrisome aspect is that such transgressions are occurring openly, repeatedly and apparently without any apprehensions for the potential consequences. This indicates serious lapses in the enforcement and supervision, but such unchecked abuse could portend dangerous signals that national symbols can be ‘trivialized and traded for profits’. He urged the President to direct the issue of stringent written guidelines with circular to all such private or commercial outlets on mandatory compliance with the Flag Code of India, conduct special awareness drives, surprise checks on such venues and regular inspections to curb the misuse of the Tricolour. Flag Code of India, 2002 Perturbed over the “perceptible lack of awareness” not only among the masses but also governmental agencies with regard to the laws, practices and conventions for displaying the National Flag as per the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the centre had brought out the detailed 25-page Flag Code of India, 2002. The Flag Code of India has minute guidelines on the display of the Tricolour, the happy occasions when it flies high, or the sad times when it is at half-mast, the privileged dignitaries who are entitled to display it on their vehicles, etc. Certain violations attract hefty fines and/or imprisonment till three years.

Forensics in Solving Highway Crashes

Forensic science sheds light on every skid mark, crash, and clue, ensuring justice is served to road crash victims.

Highway Crashes

Highway accidents are one of the leading causes of death and injury in India, with over 1.5 lakh lives lost annually, many on highways. Highways often become hotspots for accidents due to speeding, drunk driving, and poor road conditions. Forensic science uncovers the truth behind such tragic events by applying scientific principles to analyse evidence, removing speculation, and ensuring justice for victims.


In highway accident investigations, tire marks (impressions from stationary or moving tires) reveal the direction of travel, while skid marks (friction marks like skid, yaw, and scuff marks) provide insights into sudden manoeuvres: braking attempts and loss of control. Crash reconstruction tools like 3D modelling and simulations assess impact forces, vehicle speeds, and the sequence of events. By analysing the length, width, and patterns of these marks, experts can identify vehicle types, detect faulty brakes or tire defects, and estimate the collision point.


To extract digital evidence from vehicles, forensic experts first document key details such as the vehicle's make, model, VIN, and odometer reading and conduct a physical inspection with photographs. Using forensic tools like Berla iVe software, they access the infotainment system or other modules. If present, removable media like SIM cards or SD cards are extracted separately. For non-destructive methods, data is retrieved directly, but if deeper access is needed, a chip-off extraction is performed with written approval, as it is destructive. Extracted data, including vehicle speed, braking, GPS logs, and system activities, is analysed to reconstruct events.


Forensic toxicology tests are used to detect alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. CCTV footage can capture crucial moments of the accident, helping to validate or challenge eyewitness accounts. DNA and blood analysis are used to identify victims, determine the cause of death, and assess the presence of substances. Weather and environmental conditions, like rain or poor lighting, can affect driving conditions. Forensic photography documents the accident scene and helps preserve evidence for legal proceedings. Together, these elements provide a comprehensive understanding of the incident, helping to establish accountability.


Recently in the Pune Porsche Crash (May 2024), forensics revealed the car’s speed of over 150 km/h and the intoxication of the underage driver, ensuring accountability. The Yamuna Expressway Crash (January 2024) exposed tire failure due to improper air pressure, stressing vehicle maintenance. The Cyrus Mistry Accident (2022) underscored the importance of rear seatbelts, while the Balasore Train Tragedy (2023) revealed signal lapses, leading to safety improvements. Actor Salman Khan's car allegedly ran over five people sleeping on a pavement in Mumbai, killing one and injuring four. Salman was accused of rash and negligent driving and fleeing the scene. Four men were charged with intentionally dragging 20-year-old Anjali Singh to death under a car (2023), despite chances to save her, while two others were accused of misleading the investigation. Forensic experts reconstructed the case by analysing the crime scene and examining skid marks, blood traces, and clothing fragments along the route. The car was examined for bloodstains and fibres, while CCTV footage, GPS data, and call records were analysed to track the vehicle's movements and timeline.


Between 2018 and 2022, 2.45 lakh deaths were reported in hit-and-run cases in India, but only 33,212 cases resulted in convictions. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra lead in hit-and-run fatalities, accounting for a significant share of deaths. The Supreme Court stated that delay in filing an FIR does not reject motor accident claims unless the evidence is weak or insufficient. Despite a rising conviction rate, improving from 28% in 2018 to 47.9% in 2022, over 2 lakh cases remain pending. With rising highway accidents, strengthening forensic capabilities is crucial.


(Dr. Kumar is a former IPS officer and forensic consultant to Assam government. Das is a student of FSU, Guwahati. Views personal.)

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