Additional sessions judge VK Shewale on Monday sentenced to death killer bus driver Santosh Mane, while observing that the case was unique and rarest of the rare cases.
Mane, a driver employed by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), was found guilty of killing nine people and injuring 37 others by mowing them down under his bus on January 25, 2012. The sentence was passed within 15 months of the incident.
The judge issued notice under sections 192 and 193 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 to Dr Dilip Burute, the psychiatrist from Solapur who had deposed in the court claiming Mane was insane and he had treated him. Section 192 of IPC makes fabricating false evidence an offence and Section 193 prescribes punishment of imprisonment of either description (simple or rigorous) for a term of up to three years and fine.
Except for occasional sobs of family members of dead victims, pin-drop silence prevailed in the courtroom, packed with family members of dead victims, media persons and curious lawyers as judge Shewale read out his order. The court heard arguments by the prosecutor and defence lawyer on the quantum of punishment by the time Mane was escorted into the court by a team of 21 policemen at 12.15 pm.
Judge Shewale observed, “The prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and it falls under the category of unique and ‘rarest of rare crimes’ for which capital punishment can be awarded. The injured and family members of the deceased will suffer agony for life. During or after the incident, Mane showed no remorse. He injured many innocents, who are finding it difficult to bear the treatment cost.”
Pointing out that Mane was a driver with the MSRTC and committed the crime just because his seniors did not change his night duty, the judge observed, “You have no right to kill people just because you want to teach a lesson to a senior, just because you are put on night shift. The MSRTC services were totally paralysed throughout the day of the fateful incident. Consequently, pedestrians and passengers were under trauma and fear to set out from the house and undertake journey for their daily pursuits. The conscience of the general public and passengers has been shocked due to the incident.”
The judge said, “For quantum of sentence, I have to consider manner of crime, impact on society, impact on injured and family members of deceased. If given life imprisonment, it will send the wrong message to society. People will think that he will come out of jail after 14 years and then there are politicians who will vouch for his early release. Death penalty to him will be a lesson and eye-opener for others.”
@chaitralyD
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