New Delhi, October 1
The 21-year-old son of a Mumbai-based businessman, Alister Pereira, sentenced to three years imprisonment for mowing down seven persons sleeping on a pavement in Mumbai in an “inebriated” state last year, was today granted bail by the Supreme Court.
A Bench of Justices A.K. Mathur and Markandey Katju, while granting bail admitted the special leave petition filed by Pereira against his conviction by the Bombay High Court.
The high court had earlier sentenced him to three years imprisonment after enhancing the six month jail term imposed on him by a Sessions court.
While enhancing the punishment, the high court slammed the prosecution for its tardy investigations in the case.
Challenging his conviction, Pereira had filed the appeal with the plea for bail until the apex court disposed of the case.
On November 12, 2006, seven persons, including two children and a pregnant woman, were crushed to death when a Toyota Corolla, driven by Pereira, ran over the victims sleeping on the pavement at Mumbai's Carter Road. All victims were migrant labourers from Andhra Pradesh.
According to the prosecution, the five occupants of the killer vehicle were in an intoxicated state at the time of the accident.
Others in the car were identified as Craig Clyster Pereira, Mervin Anthony Pinto, Ronella Gilbert Santamay and Conroy Jacob Gardin Jacob, all below the age of 21 years.
— PTI
