PANAJI
In a major reprieve for a 23-year-old Odisha native accused in a fatal accident on the Old Mandovi Bridge, the North Goa Additional Sessions Court has ruled that the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder cannot stand.
The court refused to frame charges under this offence, noting the evidence on record does not support prosecution. Instead, the Judge directed that the case be tried for lesser offences before the Judicial Magistrate First Class.
The matter against accused Ankit Tripathy has now been remanded to the JMFC for trial under charges of rash driving, endangering life or personal safety and causing death by negligence.
The court also directed that proceedings continue under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which concerns driving under the influence.
Tripathy has been directed to appear before the JMFC on December 17.
The accident occurred on February 22, 2024, around 4:55 pm, when Tripathy, while driving a rent-a-car from Panaji towards Porvorim, was alleged to have driven in a rash and negligent manner in a zone restricted to 30 kmph and marked as a no-overtaking stretch.
He was also allegedly under the influence of alcohol. The vehicle purportedly crossed into the opposite lane and collided head-on with a motorcycle ridden by Javed Navaz Sadekar, 38, of Nachinola.
The impact was such that Sadekar was flung into the Mandovi River. His body was recovered the following day after intense search operations by the police, Fire & Emergency Services personnel, captain of ports officials, Drishti Marine lifeguards, Indian Navy and Coast Guard. Helicopter sorties were conducted and deep-sea divers deployed.
