The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the States of Punjab and Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh to place on record data on the number of 'hit and run' cases reported since the implementation of the 2022 Scheme, up to September 30, 2026.

The direction was issued in a motor accident claims appeal filed by a widow whose husband died in a road accident in 2017.

Justice Harsh Bunger said, "Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the State of Punjab, State of Haryana as well as the U.T., Chandigarh, are directed to place on record the requisite data with regard to the number of 'hit and run' cases reported after implementation of the 2022 Scheme, up to 30.09.2026. The said data shall also indicate the number of cases which have been decided, the number of cases pending, and the status of disbursement of compensation in the decided cases."

The Compensation to Victims of Hit and Run Motor Accidents Scheme, 2022 (effective April 1, 2022), framed under Section 161 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (amended by the 2019 Act), supersedes the older Solatium Scheme of 1989. It provides increased, time-bound financial compensation for victims or legal heirs when the offending vehicle cannot be identified.

The Court was hearing an appeal challenging the order dated May 31, 2019, passed by Sonepat Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, whereby a claim petition filed by the appellant following her husband's death in a hit-and-run case was dismissed. The victim was allegedly hit by an unknown vehicle on GT Road near a mall. The vehicle, after causing the accident, fled from the spot and could not be traced.

During the hearing, counsel for the U.T. Chandigarh handed over an additional affidavit dated September 28, 2026, filed by Lakshay Pandey, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Traffic (R&D), Road Safety, Chandigarh. The Court took it on record, “subject to all just exceptions.”

Counsel for the State of Haryana sought time to file an affidavit on the appellant's own claim. The claim arises from the death of her husband, Raghbir alias Sunil, who allegedly died in a motor vehicle accident on November 19, 2017. In connection with the accident, FIR which was registered on April 5, 2018, under Sections 279 (rash driving) and 304-A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code at Police Station Kundli, Sonipat.

The Court listed the matter on October 28, 2026, and directed that the needful be done before that date.