Punjab Government on Tuesday directed all the heads of department to implement, in toto, the Supreme Court guidelines with regard to protection of Good Samaritans from harassment on account of actions being taken by them to save the life of road accident victims.
“Any individual, except an eyewitness, who calls the police to inform them of an accidental injury or death need not reveal his or her personal details such as full name, address or phone number,” said Punjab State Transport Commissioner Harmail Singh. He said that the police will not compel Good Samaritan to disclose his or her name, identity, address and other such details in the police record form or log register.
“The police will not force any Good Samaritan in procuring information or anything else and will allow the Good Samaritan to leave after having provided the information. Besides, no further questions will be asked to him or her if he or she does not desire to be a witness,” he said.
Even when Good Samaritans agree to become witnesses, the guidelines accord them protection and comfort, he added. Singh said that if a Good Samaritan chooses to be a witness, the examination will be conducted at a time and place of his or her convenience and the investigation officer will be dressed in plain clothes.
If the Good Samaritan is required by the investigation officer to visit the police station, the reasons for the requirement shall be recorded by the officer in writing, he added.