Judge Ajit Mishra tenders resignation

Mumbai, May 5 (UNI) Sessions court judge Ajit Mishra, under criticism for awarding only a mild sentence of six months to Alistair Pereira whose vehicle had mowed down seven pavement dwellers, has resigned from his post.

The resignation letter was submitted in the office of the Bombay High Court Chief Justice Swatantra Kumar as well as to the High Court registrar. The contents of the resignation letter have not been revealed to the press.

Judge Mishra had run into a controversy after he awarded mild punishment to Pereira who was held guilty of causing death due to negligence not amounting to culpable homicide. The youth was sentenced to only six months imprisonment for running over seven labourers sleeping on a pavement by a lower court for want of evidence.

Recently, a bench of the Bombay High Court, headed by the Chief Justice, had issued a suo motu notice in this case while criticising the lower court order and had also reprimanded the authorities for the shoddy investigation and prosecution lapses. The High Court had also issued notices to the Mumbai Police and Maharashtra Government to bring 21-year-old Pereira to book.

UNI