SRINAGAR: A Srinagar court has acquitted a driver accused in a fatal road accident from 2015, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish rash and negligent driving due to significant gaps in the investigation.
The judgment concludes a case that has been ongoing for nearly a decade, with the court finding the presented evidence insufficient to prove criminal liability against the accused driver, Imtiyaz Ahmad Peer.
Third Additional Munsiff/JMIC Srinagar, Varun Kumar, in his ruling, pointed out substantial inconsistencies in the prosecution’s narrative, particularly the lack of precise details regarding the circumstances of the accident. The court noted that critical elements, such as the vehicle’s direction, the nature of the impact, and the pedestrian’s position, were not adequately substantiated by evidence.
The Chenab Times has learned that the court also highlighted the absence of corroborating testimony, stating that no independent or medical witnesses were produced to support the prosecution’s assertions. The accident occurred on August 30, 2015, in Sonwar Bagh, Srinagar, when a TATA Matador allegedly struck a pedestrian, identified as Javed Ahmad Bhat of Rainawari. The victim later succumbed to his injuries at SMHS Hospital, leading to charges being filed under provisions related to culpable negligence.
During the trial, the prosecution presented only two witnesses. However, neither witness provided direct or conclusive evidence linking the accused driver to negligent driving. One witness reportedly admitted to not having witnessed the incident firsthand. The police witness, while alleging rash driving, was unable to clearly articulate the sequence of events, according to the court’s observations.
The court reiterated established legal principles, emphasizing that an accident alone does not automatically prove criminal negligence. Such negligence must be supported by credible and specific evidence. Finding that the prosecution had not met the required standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the court granted the benefit of doubt to the accused driver.
Consequently, Imtiyaz Ahmad Peer was acquitted of the charges, and his bail bonds were discharged. The judgment also brings to the fore questions regarding the quality of investigations and prosecution in accident-related cases, where insufficient evidence can undermine serious charges.
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