A Magistrate’s court in Labasa has mandated the Land Transport Authority to refund a businessman $20,000 following the dismissal of multiple Traffic Infringement Notices (TIN) issued against him. Sanjeev Reddy, a 50-year-old from Vunika, contested the fines in court on three occasions, supported by his lawyer, John Prasad.
The legal troubles began when Reddy received a fine of $2,000 in July 2019 for allowing someone else to operate his vehicle with an improper load. Subsequently, he faced two additional TINs totaling $18,000, which ultimately forced him to close his trucking business and shift to running a shop to make ends meet.
During the latest court appearance, Magistrate Safaira Ratu ruled that the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof required to sustain the charges against Reddy. The magistrate also questioned the credibility of the prosecution’s witnesses, particularly regarding their qualifications to testify in the case. As a result, Reddy was acquitted of the charges, and the court ordered the LTA to refund all fines paid by Reddy within 21 days.
This ruling not only restores Reddy’s financial standing but also highlights the importance of thorough evidence presentation in legal proceedings. Such outcomes reinforce the principle that individuals should be protected against unfounded charges, ensuring fairness in the legal system.
In summary, this case serves as a reminder of the need for proper legal processes and the potential for redress in situations where businesses suffer from unjust fines. There is hope that with diligent legal representation, others facing similar circumstances can find justice while the ruling encourages authorities to ensure compliance with legal standards when issuing fines.
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