New Delhi: In a landmark ruling addressing civic apathy, the Bombay High Court last week linked pothole-related deaths to violation of Article 21 of the Constitution that guarantees the right to life. It directed that mandatory compensation be paid to victims of pothole-related accidents and that the amount be recovered from civic officers, engineers or contractors responsible for the negligence.

In doing so, the court resurrected a principle from classic tort law: of strict liability, holding a party responsible for harm caused by their actions.

“Unless those responsible for pothole-related deaths and injuries are made personally accountable, and are compelled to bear monetary liability from their own pockets, they will not understand the gravity of the issue,” the division bench of J

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