The Magistrate’s court in Labasa has ruled in favor of businessman Sanjeev Reddy, ordering the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to refund him a total of $20,000 that was previously paid in relation to Traffic Infringement Notices (TIN). This ruling took place on Friday and came after multiple court appearances by Reddy, who was represented by attorney John Prasad.
Reddy was initially fined $2,000 in July 2019 for allowing an individual to drive a vehicle that did not conform to regulations concerning mass and load. Subsequently, he faced two additional fines of $13,000 and $5,000. The financial burden of these fines forced Reddy to close his trucking business and find alternative means to support his living, operating a shop instead.
In her ruling, Magistrate Safaira Ratu expressed that the prosecution had failed to meet the burden of proof necessary for conviction based on the evidence presented. She raised doubts about the credibility and expertise of the prosecution’s witness regarding the matters at hand. As a result of the court’s finding, the TIN were dismissed, Reddy was acquitted, and the LTA was instructed to reimburse the fines within a 21-day period.
This ruling brings to light important issues regarding the judicial processes surrounding traffic infringement and emphasizes the need for thorough evidence and expertise in such cases. It’s a hopeful outcome for Reddy and may serve as a precedent for similar cases, reinforcing the importance of accountability within regulatory bodies.
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