CP to look into investigation, prosecution in Pereira case

Mumbai, May 3 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to look into the investigation and prosecution in the 2006 hit-and-run case involving Alister Pereira, in which seven labourers were killed and eight others injured.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Swantater Kumar and Justice S C Dharmadhikari, directed the investigating officer (IO) of the case to enquire as to how Pereira managed to raise Rs five lakh as fine ''imposed by the trial court, within half an hour of the pronouncement of the verdict''.

The court also directed the IO to investigate whether all the families of the victims in the hit-and-run case of November last year, received the compensation amount as directed by the trial court and whether the amount lying with that court was reinvested in the interest of the victims or not.

Coming down heavily on the state authorities, the court remarked that, ''the investigation and prosecution in the case had been very insensitive, there can be no concession to the state in which seven persons were put to death. The state should be equally concerned for the rights of the rich and the poor people.'' The court also suggested that the state should have filed an appeal against the framing of charges, as the court found that though the chargesheet in the case mentioned six charges, only two were framed against Pereira.

The matter, arising out of suo-motu initiative of the Chief Justice, was adjourned till June 6, to allow Pereira to appoint an advocate.

The court today granted his application for adjournment and noted that though the reason cited by Periera was not sound enough in the interest of justice, the adjournment was being granted.

Meanwhile, Pereira will remain on bail on the same conditions, as granted by the trial court. He will have to remain present before the court on the date of the next hearing.

UNI