In the light of thousands of people dying in motor vehicle accidents due to negligent and drunken driving in the country, the Supreme Court on Friday suggested the Union Government to enhance the quantum of maximum punishment which is two years according to the statute. While reducing the sentence from five years to two years of Prabhakaran, a driver from Kerala, who had crushed to death to a 10-year-old student, a bench of Justices Arijit Pasayat and D K Jain said a two years sentence in such type of offences was grossly inadequate.
“'There is substance in this submission by the Government Counsel, considering the increasing number of vehicular accidents resulting in death of large number of persons. It is for the legislature to provide for an appropriate sentence,” said the Bench.
If the Manmohan Singh government amends the Motor Vehicle Act on the suggestions of the Apex Court then film star Salman Khan, BMW accident accused Sanjiv Nanda, and Mumbai hit-and-run accident accused Alistair Pareira might be in trouble.
In the Prabhakaran case, the investigation by the police revealed that the boy, who was studying in class fourth, was crushed to death while going back to his hostel along with other friends. 
“The passengers in the bus were alarmed of the enormous speed in which the bus was being driven. They had cautioned the driver to stop the bus as they had seen the school children crossing the road in a queue,”   the bench said.
It expressed its anguish over the attitude of the driver.
The trial court had sentenced him five years rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000, which was upheld by the Kerala High Court.
He had filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the High Court sentence saying that it was illegal and unjustified.