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Illustration of Court Orders LTA to Reimburse $20,000

Court Orders Major Refund for Businessman After Traffic Fine Controversy

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The Magistrate’s Court in Labasa has directed the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to refund a businessman $20,000 after ruling in his favor regarding a Traffic Infringement Notice (TIN). Sanjeev Reddy, a 50-year-old from Vunika, Labasa, was represented in court by John Prasad.

Mr. Reddy faced three TINs, which were initially issued between July 2019 and subsequent months, totaling $20,000 for alleged traffic violations, including allowing another person to drive a vehicle with non-conforming loads. As a consequence of these fines, Mr. Reddy was forced to close his trucking business and shift to running a shop to make ends meet.

In her ruling, Magistrate Safaira Ratu stated that the prosecution had not met the burden of proof against Mr. Reddy. After reviewing the evidence presented by both sides, she expressed doubts about the qualifications of the prosecution’s witness and ultimately found that there was insufficient evidence to support the TINs. The court dismissed the charges, acquitted Mr. Reddy, and mandated the LTA to refund the fines paid by him within a three-week timeframe.

This ruling exemplifies the importance of due process and the need for robust evidence in legal proceedings. It also highlights the impact of legal decisions on individuals’ livelihoods, and the court’s role in ensuring justice prevails. This case may serve as a reminder to public agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in their enforcement actions, ultimately fostering a fairer system for all.


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