On Thursday, the Bombay high court sentenced three-year Rigorous Imprisonment to Alistair Pereira in the connection with hit-and-run case of 2006. The HC awarded Pereira three years’ RI under Section 304, one year under Section 338 and six months for causing grievous injuries.

On November 12, 2006, Alistair Pereira had rammed his Toyota Corolla in the pavement where as many as 15 people were sleeping on Carter road in Bandra. In this incident, seven people were died on the spot and several others were injured.

According to the report, all the sentences would run concomitantly. While delivering the judgment, the Bombay HC judge said that Pereira didn’t deserve any uncalled sympathy.

Earlier on April 13, 2007, a sessions court at Sewree had convicted Pereira under section 304 (a) (causing death by rash and negligent act). The court had awarded him six months’ simple imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs.500, 000 to pay to victims of the accident.

Pereira, surprisingly, had paid the amount within hours of the judgment. Later, the Bombay HC took a serious note on the judgment given by the lower court. On May 3, 2007 the HC re-opened the hit-and-run case after a public outcry over the judgment.

Maharasta government had also filed a review petition in the High Court and urged the court to deliver stricter sentence to the guilt in the case. The Bombay HC had also criticized the Mumbai police for its substandard investigation process in this case.

Senior criminal lawyer Satish Maneshinde said on the judgment that this is a welcome decision given by court. It will act as a deterrent against similar crimes. The prosecution left a lot to be desired and created a public furore while presented the case in court. The High Court judges rightly took it up. People who get involved in such cases better beware of stricter punishments.

Former IPS officer YP Singh said that 3-year imprisonment is not sufficient in such cases as the guilt deserves more because he had killed seven people. However, this is at least better that the verdict earlier given by the trial court.

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