Nooriya can’t deny knowing effect of drink driving: court

Nooriya Haveliwala, 30, cannot deny knowing the consequence of drink driving and speeding, judge IM Bohri noted in the 35-page judgment, which was served to the India-born US citizen on Friday.

Nooriya Haveliwala, 30, cannot deny knowing the consequence of drink driving and speeding, judge IM Bohri noted in the 35-page judgment, which was served to the India-born US citizen on Friday.

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The special court on Thursday sentenced the beautician to five years’ rigorous imprisonment for rash and negligent driving and culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

In her defence during the trial, Nooriya had told the court that she was driving the car alone and at moderate speed. She said the accident occurred as it was dark and she did not expect a taxi parked on the road. She had also claimed that when the car crashed into the taxi, the air bags of her Honda CRV opened up, because of which she did not realise what happened after that.

On January 29, 2010, Nooriya crashed her SUV into six persons, killing two, including a policeman and a biker. The incident took place while she was returning after partying and drinking with her friends in Malabar Hill.

In the judgment, Bohri noted: “The accused resides in Colaba and she was acquainted with the roads and signals of the area. Also, she cannot deny knowledge [of consequence] of drunk driving at high speed as held in Alistair Pereira case.”

The judgment also observed: “In road traffic, drivers are expected to take due care while driving the vehicle. Keeping safe distance is equally important.”

Nooriya is now expected to be shifted to a central jail either at Yerawada in Pune or the Nashik central prison.