The Bombay High Court (HC) on Monday quashed the conviction of a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport's (BEST) bus driver, who was implicated in the death of a pedestrian 27 years ago, news agency PTI reported. The court emphasised that there was insufficient evidence to support claims of rash or negligent driving against the driver. A single bench of Justice Milind Jadhav concluded that the prosecution had not proven that the accident was the result of any reckless behaviour on the part of the driver, Shivaji Karne.

In its ruling, the court pointed out that no witnesses had testified to Karne speeding or running a red light. "There is no doubt that the incident has led to the death of a person, but when there is no evidence relating to rash and negligent driving, the conviction of the applicant [Karne] is not justified and warranted," the court stated. The judge also took note of the fact that Karne had rushed the victim to a hospital immediately following the incident, which further undermined the prosecution's case.