Dubai-bizman’s son gets seven years RI in hit-and-run case

Rajkot: Pankil Mohatta (26), son of Dubai-based businessman, was sentenced to seven years' rigorous imprisonment in connection with a hit-and-run case of last year where three persons were killed and six were injured in Gandhidham, Kutch.

On March 14, 2016, Mohatta was driving a sports utility vehicle SUV at a very high speed while coming from Adipur. He first rammed into a two-wheeler on the road opposite IFFCO-Udyognagar and then ran into eight other people standing by the roadside. Two-wheeler driver Gaman Rajput (30) died on the spot, while the injured were taken to hospital where two more people — Lakhman Vankar (35), Meghiben Vankar (50) — died during the treatment.

Mohatta, who had fled from the spot, was arrested after two days on March 16, 2016, from Abu Road when he arrived at his relative's house. Mohatta was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder).

On Friday, Gandhidham sessions judge V A Buddha found Mohatta guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and imposed a fine of Rs 6 lakh on him. Of the fine amount, Rs 4.5 lakh (Rs 1.5 lakh each) was to be paid to the kin of the deceased, while remaining Rs 1.5 lakh was to be given to the injured based on the nature of injury at that point of time.

Public prosecutor in the case B B Jogi said the court relied on statement of 31 witnesses and over 40 documentary evidences to arrive at the conclusion that Mohatta was guilty.

Mohatta's father Sunil Mohatta is promoter of Laxmi Marine, a ship chandling firm in Gandhidham. He resides in Dubai. Mohatta lived with his grandparents in Gandhidham.