NEW DELHI: A good Samaritan who rushes an accident victim to a hospital will not be forced to reveal his identity and the government has warned of strong action against police personnel and other officials who coerce such a person to disclose personal details.
A circular, renotified to all States by the Ministry of Home Affairs, made it clear that a good Samaritan shall not be liable for any civil and criminal action. A bystander or a good Samaritan who makes a phone call to inform the police or emergency services for a person lying injured on the road shall not be compelled to reveal his or her name and personal details on the phone or in person, according to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) mentioned in the circular. “Disclosure of personal information such as name and contact details of the good Samaritan shall be made voluntary and optional,” said the circular.
Annually 1.4 lakh people die in road accidents in India and government reports suggest that at least 50 per of the fatalities can be averted if the victims are admitted to hospital within the first one hour of a crash, called the “golden hour”.