A 36-year-old taxi driver named Deepak Chand has received a suspended sentence from the Suva High Court after being convicted of causing grievous bodily harm. This incident occurred in August 2022 when Chand was picking up passengers from the Savutalele settlement. During the encounter, an argument broke out between Chand and one of the passengers. Following this altercation, the passengers opted to hail another taxi while waiting on the roadside.
In a moment of escalating emotion, Chand retrieved a knife from his vehicle and confronted the waiting passengers. When one of the passengers attempted to disarm him, Chand intentionally stabbed that individual. This violent act triggered a retaliatory response from the other passengers, who physically assaulted Chand. Although the passenger did not suffer severe injuries, the attack inflicted lasting cognitive impairments on Chand.
Chand has been sentenced to 11 months and three weeks of imprisonment, with the sentence suspended for a period of three years. This case underscores the growing concerns regarding safety and violence related to taxi services, which have been increasingly highlighted in recent court rulings.
In related instances, the Fiji Court of Appeal recently downgraded a man’s charge from manslaughter to assault in a case involving the death of a taxi driver, indicating a judicial awareness of the need for careful evaluation of evidence in violent crime cases. Additionally, another recent case involved a 21-year-old who was sentenced to nearly two years for robbing a taxi driver, reflecting a worrying trend of violence against taxi operators.
Such cases not only spotlight the challenges faced by taxi drivers but also the need for effective measures to ensure their safety and well-being. With the increasing incidents of violence against taxi drivers, it is hoped that these legal proceedings will stimulate dialogue and lead to greater protections for transport service workers in the community.
The court’s recognition of the psychological consequences of such violent encounters is crucial in fostering a more supportive environment for both drivers and passengers in the future.
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