By IANS
Mumbai : Additional Sessions Judge Ajit Mishra, who handed a controversial six-month imprisonment to Alister Pereira in a hit-and-run case in which seven city pavement dwellers were run over, resigned Saturday in the aftermath of sharp criticism that he had been let off with a lesser punishment.
Mishra cited no reasons for his resignation, Bombay High Court sources said.
After the judgement by a lower court last month, there were sharp criticism that Pereira, 22, had been let off with a lesser punishment.
On April 13, Mishra had acquitted Pereira for rash and negligent driving, but he was acquitted of the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
He also asked him to pay Rs.500,000 as compensation to the victims. Pereira was convicted under 304(A) causing death by negligence.
What was significant that the Bombay High Court and a bench comprising Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice S.C. Dharmadhikari taking suo motu cognisance of the case April 19 and asked for its re-opening.
After his acquittal on culpable homicide not amounting to murder, the Maharashtra government had filed an appeal.
On May 3, when the bench took up both the cases – the suo motu cognisance of the case and the state government's appeal – it came down heavily on the police and even asked how Pereira could arrange Rs.500,000 within half an hour after the judgement.
The court has also asked the government to prepare an affidavit giving details of the investigation. The bench, in particular, asked why the other persons travelling with Pereira in his car were not examined in the trial court.
On Nov 12 last year, the seven labourers were run over by the Toyota Corolla driven by Pereira in suburban Bandra.
The high court has posted the further hearing on the case for June 6.