Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 22: A court in the city has sentenced both an auto-rickshaw driver and the vehicle owner to jail in connection with a hit-and-run case near Bejai Junction that resulted in the death of a biker. The court also took serious note of the fact that the auto driver had fled the scene after the accident and that the owner had allowed a person without a valid driving licence to operate the vehicle.
The incident had occurred on February 21, 2023, on the road from Bejai Junction towards Rangoli Cross. Auto-rickshaw driver Sairam, while attempting to take a U-turn, allegedly rammed into the bike ridden by Kavan Alva, who was travelling towards Bejai.
As a result of the collision, Kavan Alva and his bike were thrown off the road, and he crashed into a roadside tree, suffering severe head injuries.
The auto driver fled from the scene immediately after the accident. The seriously injured biker later succumbed to his injuries. During the investigation, it was found that the auto driver did not possess a valid driving licence.
Based on this, a case had been registered against both the auto driver and the RC owner at the Kadri Traffic police station. Then inspector Nagaraj K conducted the investigation and submitted the charge sheet before the court.
The 8th JMFC Court judge, Fawaz P A, who heard the case, examined witnesses and heard arguments from both sides. As the prosecution successfully proved the case, the court pronounced the sentence.
The driver was sentenced under Section 187 of the IMV Act to one month of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000. Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional 10 days of simple imprisonment. Under Section 181, the driver was further sentenced to 15 days of simple imprisonment and fined Rs 1,000. Failure to pay this fine would attract an additional seven days of simple imprisonment.
The court also seriously viewed the act of RC owner Jagadish Chandappa in permitting a person without a valid licence to drive the auto-rickshaw.
In the case, Geetha Rai initially conducted the witness examination on behalf of the government, following which Aaron D’Souza Vitla continued the witness examination and presented arguments before the court.