Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Mar 20: The driver of a tipper, whose action in moving the vehicle on reverse gear all of a sudden had caused the death of Sheetal Shetty (21), a final year student of the city-based Shree Devi College, was found guilty and sentenced by the third JMFC court here.

The driver, Raju Naik (28) from Sorab Kotipura in Shimoga district, was accused of putting his vehicle on reverse gear and causing the death of the above person, who was riding the pillion of a motor bike that was being driven by her husband, Bharathbhushan, on September 16, 2010 at Konchady in the city. Bharath had escaped with some injuries, after jumping aside, sensing sudden movement in the parked tipper. Sheetal, who fell down as a result, was trying to get up when the tipper crushed her under its wheels. She had breathed her last while being taken to a hospital.

Judge of the JMFC court, Roopashree, who heard the arguments, after finding that the charge of negligent driving levelled against the driver was proved, handed down punishment in the form of one year imprisonment and fine of Rs 3000.

Assistant public prosecutor, Mohan Kumar, had presented the case on behalf of the prosecution, while the then police circle inspector of Panambur, Valentine D’Souza, had filed the charge sheet.