Special Correspondent
Pune: A special motor vehicle court, presided over by Judicial Magistrate First Class Amrit Birajdar, has sentenced a software professional to seven days of simple imprisonment and a total fine of ₹15,000 for a drink-and-drive offense. This is the second conviction for Manmohan Baleshwar Tyagi, a resident of Pimple Saudagar, in a similar case.
The incident occurred in December 2024, around 2 pm, at Wakad Naka Chowk in Pimpri Chinchwad, where police officers were conducting traffic surveillance. Tyagi, aged 45, was seen riding his motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol. As a result, Wakad police registered a case against him under the Motor Vehicle Act. The police report highlighted Tyagi’s reckless riding, which endangered public safety and caused alarm among other road users.
When presented in court, Tyagi admitted to his actions, pleading guilty. In his defense, he sought leniency, citing his responsibility as the sole provider for his family and the potential loss of his job at an IT company if convicted. He expressed concern about the financial hardships his family might face if he were to be given a harsher sentence.
Despite Tyagi’s appeal for mercy, Assistant Public Prosecutor Varsharani Jadhav emphasized the importance of holding offenders accountable. She stated that such reckless behavior on the roads had caused numerous fatalities and put other commuters at risk.
Magistrate Birajdar, acknowledging Tyagi’s repeated offense, concluded that merely imposing a fine would not suffice as a deterrent. He noted that the previous conviction had not effectively changed the accused’s behavior. However, taking into account Tyagi’s role as the primary breadwinner for his family, the court decided on a more balanced punishment, opting for a seven-day jail term instead of a longer sentence to minimize the negative impact on his family’s well-being.
