MARGAO
The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Margao, has convicted and sentenced a bus driver to simple imprisonment for six months and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 for causing the death of a pedestrian by negligence.
In her order, CJM Shubhada A. Dalvi rejected the plea for leniency, observing that “road accidents are increasing day by day and professional drivers driving heavy vehicles are driving negligently on the road, multiplying accidents and putting an unwanted full stop to the lives of people walking on the road”.
The CJM also relied on the judgment in State of M.P. v Mehta (2001) 7 SCC 307, wherein it was held that a deterrent sentence is required in cases of road accidents; otherwise, people may think they can get away with a fine.
Fatorda police had charged the bus driver with driving a passenger bus in a rash and negligent manner, without taking proper care and caution, thereby endangering human life.
According to the prosecution, the driver was proceeding from Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, towards the KTC bus stand when, on reaching Old Market Circle, he allegedly hit a pedestrian who was crossing the road from the Colva side towards the SGPDA market.
