HC admits State's appeal against Manish Khatau's acquittal

Mumbai, Dec 20 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today admitted the state government's appeal, challenging the acquittal of Manish Khatau, son of mill owner Mahendra Khatau by the Sessions Court on April 24.

A division bench comprising Justices V G Palshikar and Nishita Mhatre were hearing the matter, submitting that the acquittal by the Sessions Judge at Sewree was contrary to law and against the evidence.

The prosecution submitted that Khatau was driving his car at very high speed late in the night on August 14 last year in front of the Police Gymkhana on Marine Drive road. Police sub-inspector Sagar Shivalkar and constable Jitendra Rokde were standing behind barricades, diverting traffic.

When Shivalkar flashed a torch to indicate to Khatau to slow down and change lanes, initially he obliged but again abruptly changed course and accelerated the car. He banged the barricade that flew in the air due to the impact and hurt Rokde greviously. He was intercepted and taken into custody later.

A complaint was lodged against him while Rokde was sent to G T Hospital for treatment.

Even though sufficient evidence was produced before the Session judge to implicate Khatau under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code for attempt to murder and section 333 for causing grevious hurt to a public servant on duty, he was acquitted, stated the prosecution.

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