Thane Doctor sentenced for abusing Traffic Cop

Thane: In a recent hearing of a seven-year-old assault case, a 36-year-old doctor from Thane was sentenced to five months imprisonment and fined Rs 5,100 after being found guilty of allegedly assaulting, threatening an on-duty traffic police officer and failing to follow proper parking instructions. 

According to a PTI news report, the judgment was passed by Thane Additional Sessions Court Judge Vasudha L Bhosale for obstructing a public servant from discharging his duty and violating traffic regulations. 

During the hearing, Judge Bhosale noted, "The prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had beaten the informant or used criminal force against him, obstructing him from performing his official duty. It has also proved that the accused had parked his vehicle on the wrong side in such a condition, causing danger or obstruction and inconvenience to other vehicles and people going from there, which was a public place."

Also read- Vellore Doctor Gang Rape Case: Juvenile gets 20 Years of Imprisonment

As per a Free Press Journal news report, the history of the incident dates back to 2018, when the doctor was found driving in the wrong direction at Hafija Chowk, Thane. Traffic police officer Chandrakant Hiraman Pawar, who was managing traffic for a candle march organised by Sangharsh Samiti, noticed the doctor's car contributing to the congestion. Following this, he intercepted the doctor's car, which was being parked on the wrong side of the road, causing a traffic jam.

When the constable demanded the accused's driving license, he refused to comply and started shouting before threatening and pushing him. He told the Pawar, “Do whatever you want," by handing him his car keys. When an argument broke out, the doctor allegedly assaulted him, pushed and threatened him.

Following this, Pawar filed a complaint against the doctor at the Kopri police station. During the trial, the prosecution examined four witnesses to establish the accused's guilt, including Pawar, who testified to the incident. 

Considering the facts and evidence presented by the prosecution, the court observed that the doctor was the aggressor, obstructing the officer from performing his duty. However, since it was his first offence and he had a reputable profession, the court showed leniency and sentenced him to a simple five months imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,100. 

Also read- Air India doctor sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment for demanding bribe