Mumbai: Negligent Bus Driver Receives Three-Month Jail Term For Injuring Cyclist

Girgaon, 27th October 2023: The Girgaon Magistrate Court on Monday convicted a BEST bus driver and sentenced him to three months in prison for injuring a cyclist on Peddar Road in January 2021. The driver was found guilty of reckless driving on a public road, endangering the lives and safety of others, and causing injury as a result.

The incident, which occurred early last year, involved the BEST bus colliding with the handle of the complainant’s bicycle, causing the cyclist to fall and sustain minor injuries. The complainant argued that negligent driving, particularly by public transport vehicle operators, posed a severe threat to passengers and other road users.

While advocating for the case, the accused’s lawyer argued that this was the first reported offence by the accused driver in his 28-year-long career. Furthermore, he also put forward the fact that the driver’s family is wholly dependent on his income, requesting the court to consider mercy in the sentencing.

On the other hand, the police, stressing the responsibility of operating a public vehicle, requested the court to impose a more stringent penalty of six months imprisonment on the accused. They argued that the accused, as a public vehicle driver, was obligated to exercise utmost care and diligence on the road.

In the end, Judicial Magistrate Nadeem Patel decided against showing undue leniency in such cases. He maintained that not punishing the accused would send the wrong message to society, emphasising the importance of upholding road safety and personal responsibility.