Drive cautiously where pedestrian movement is high: Court

Refusing to grant any relief to a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus driver for rash and negligent driving in BRT corridor, a court here said that drivers should be cautious in places where pedestrian movement is high.
Dismissing the appeal of DTC driver Sunil Kumar Rana against his conviction and sentence for rash and negligent driving, the court said that buses in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors ply at a high speed without taking into consideration the pedestrians who occasionally cross roads from any point.
"In a place where there is pedestrian movement and vehicular traffic is high, it is incumbent on all drivers to drive cautiously," District and Sessions Judge Ina Malhotra said.

The magisterial court had found Rana guilty of rash and negligent driving and causing injuries which lead to death of a pedestrian.
He was sentenced to three months jail and fine of Rs 5000 by the trial court.
Upholding the order on conviction and sentence, the court said, "The conclusion of the trial court that the accused had caused death of the pedestrian having driven in a rash and negligent manner does not warrant any interference."

According to prosecution, on March 25, 2010, Rana was driving a DTC bus and had an accident in the BRT corridor in front of the Indian School at JB Tito Marg of the city, in which a pedestrian was hit by the bus.

The victim was rushed to AIIMS hospital where he succumbed to injuries.
Rana in his appeal claimed that he was innocent and had stopped the bus because the victim fell in front of his vehicle after being hit by other vehicle.
The court, however, refused to agree with the contention of the accused that the victim was hit by other vehicle saying the mechanical investigation report of the bus clearly indicated damage in the body and front wind screen broken.