VASCO: The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) in Vasco acquitted a taxi driver from Mangor Hill in an accident case that occurred five years ago.
On the fateful day, the accused, Santosh Pujari, was driving his car from Mangor Hill towards Fakir Gali when he knocked down a minor boy named Sarvesh Reddy. The boy later succumbed while undergoing treatment at Goa Medical College, Bambolim. During the trial, final arguments were presented by Advocate Savio Noronha and Assistant Public Prosecutor Coleman Rodrigues.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Noronha argued that the point of impact depicted on the sketch was not reliable. Hence, no inference of rashness or negligence could be drawn. He also pointed out a delay in recording the statements of eyewitnesses, and the witnesses examined by the prosecution were ‘interested’, making their testimony unreliable.
Referring to a Supreme Court judgment, he argued that if a person suddenly crosses the road, the vehicle, however slowly it may be driving, may not be able to avoid the accident.
Noronha also highlighted faulty investigation by the Investigating Officer and contradictions in the evidence. Based on these arguments, the JMFC acquitted the accused of offences under sections 279 and 304-A of the IPC.
