Ahmedabad: What began as a routine traffic enforcement check in 2007 turned into a criminal case that dragged on for nearly 18 years. A retired traffic constable has now been convicted for throwing a notepad at a motorcyclist, causing him to fall and sustain injuries. However, the court spared him jail time due to his age and service record, instead granting probation and ordering him to pay Rs 30,000 in compensation.
The Incident
On November 19, 2007, traffic constable Laljibhai Makwana was on duty at the Shivranjani crossroads in Ahmedabad. He noticed a motorcyclist, Manish Makwana, approaching without a helmet, with his sister riding pillion. The constable signaled the rider to stop. Believing the biker would not comply, Makwana hurled his notepad at the motorcycle. The notepad struck the rider in the face, causing him to lose control. Both the rider and his sister fell onto the road, with the rider suffering an eye injury from his broken spectacles. Another policeman at the scene rushed them to the hospital.
Legal Proceedings
The next day, the injured rider filed a complaint against the constable. After an investigation, a chargesheet was filed, and the case went to trial. The court examined the evidence and found the retired policeman guilty of assault causing injuries.
Sentencing
During sentencing, Makwana pleaded for leniency, requesting compensation instead of imprisonment. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Nirmalsinh Gadhvi accepted the plea, stating: “Considering the age of the accused at the time of the incident as well as his present age, his profession, family responsibilities, the circumstances of the case, the nature of the offence and the impact of a conviction on his future prospects, the court finds it appropriate to extend the benefit of Section 5(1) of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958. Instead of imposing a jail sentence, the court is of the view that the ends of justice would be adequately served by directing the accused to pay reasonable compensation to the injured person.” The court ordered Makwana to pay Rs 30,000 as compensation to the victim.
