2018 Accident Case: Mumbai Court Sentences Actor Dalip Tahil to Two Months in Jail

A Mumbai Court has sentenced Bollywood actor Dalip Tahil to two-month in a 2018 accident case. The court’s decision was based on the medical officer’s testimony, which clearly indicated that the actor was operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

The court rejected the defense’s argument, which claimed that the victim and her friend, described as ‘social media predators,’ were exploiting the actor’s celebrity status. According to the court, this argument was insufficient to dismiss the prosecution’s evidence.

On October 16, the metropolitan magistrate court in Bandra found the veteran actor guilty of charges under section 337 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to causing harm to any person by acting recklessly or negligently, endangering human life or personal safety, along with relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The incident in question involved Tahil’s car colliding with an autorickshaw in the suburban Khar area in September 2018, resulting in injuries to two passengers. The court emphasized that the medical officer’s evidence left no doubt that the accused had been driving under the influence of alcohol.

In response to the defense’s argument, the court stressed that the accused’s status and the nature of the informant’s and witness’s work were not grounds for disregarding their testimonies. The court order stated, “The evidence of the informant and witness corroborates that the accused’s vehicle struck the auto from behind.”

Furthermore, the court acknowledged that in this particular case, it was evident that “the accused is well mature and a respectable citizen of India having gained the status of a public image.” It emphasized that the nature of the offense and its overall impact on society warranted a legal sentence, not just a fine. Consequently, the actor was sentenced to two months in jail.