HC takes cognisance of hit-and-run case, issues notices

Mumbai, Apr 19 (UNI) Taking cognisance of the public outcry over the lenient punishment awarded to Alister Pereira, who had mowed down seven labourers in a case of drunken driving, the Bombay High Court today issued notices to the State Government, Pereira and others concerned as to why the trial court's judgement should not be examined.

The High Court has also sought to know through the notices as to why Alister Pereira should not be directed to pay adequate compensation to the kin of the victims.

While issuing notices, a division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice S C Dharmadhikari has restrained Alister Pereira from leaving the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court and asked him to surrender his passport, if any, to senior police inspector of the Khar police station.

After perusing the records and proceedings in the case, which reached the High Court yesterday only, the court issued notices saying as to why should this court not examine legality, correctness and propriety of the trial court's verdict, what directions the court ought to pass to prevent miscarriage of justice, if any, and why the accused and his accomplices be not directed to pay appropriate compensation to the victims considering the fact that all the victims were poor labourers.

The court has also directed the senior police inspector of the Khar police station to serve notices on concerned parties and ensure their presence on next date of hearing, May 3.

Advocate General Ravi Kadam along with public prosecutor Satish Borulkar were present as the court passed bitter comments. The court remarked that apparently the investigation was very poor and trial was conducted in very pathetic conditions.

UNI