HC stays non-bailable warrant in ’23 death by negligence case

Panaji: The Bombay high court on Wednesday stayed a non-bailable warrant issued to Prince Porwal by a lower court. It directed the lower court not to execute the non-bailable warrant until the next HC hearing.Porwal was sentenced by a Quepem court in Feb to one month imprisonment for death by negligence and directed that he pay the father of the victim Rs 50,000 within a month.The sessions court this month dismissed his criminal appeal and confirmed the Quepem court’s order. Since he was not present at the time of the order of dismissal by the sessions judge at Margao on Oct 13, the court issued him a non-bailable warrant.He went to the HC challenging his conviction and sentence and is also seeking suspension of the sentence until the HC decides on his criminal revision application.

He was convicted for driving a rented taxi in a rash and negligent manner, dashing into a cyclist at Balli, Quepem, in Jan 2023. The cyclist fell on the car’s windshield, sustained head and other body injuries, and died while being treated at GMC, Bambolim.He is also seeking suspension of his sentence until the HC decides on his revision application. His lawyer, Mark Valadares, told the court that he is a resident of Uttar Pradesh and is in UP at present. He stated that Porwal is willing to pay Rs 50,000 to the victim's father within a week. The HC accepted his statement.The court directed him to be present at the next hearing and file the receipt of payment made to the father of the victim.