Accused Denies Two Charges in Fatal Hulhumale’ Road Accident

The defendant in the fatal hit-and-run case of a Bangladeshi man has denied two of the three charges brought against him.

The incident occurred in April last year on a road west of the Ooredoo Building in Hulhumalé, where a motorcycle and a car collided. The crash caused the two Bangladeshi men on the motorcycle to fall to the ground, after which the car ran over one of them. Both sustained severe injuries, with the motorcyclist later succumbing to his wounds.

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The deceased has been identified as Masood Rana, while the pillion rider was Sheikh Shuaib.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has charged the driver of the car, Mausoom Haleem of Kethi, K. Kaashidhoo, with negligence causing death, inflicting injury, and damage to property.

According to the prosecution, the charges of negligence causing death and inflicting injury were brought because the car had failed to signal before turning onto the road. At that moment, the motorcycle was attempting to overtake, leading to the collision. The impact caused Masood to fall and become trapped under the car. The prosecution further alleges that the car then reversed at high speed over Masood, leading to his fatal injuries.

During today’s hearing at the Criminal Court, Mausoom denied the charges of negligence causing death and inflicting injury. His lawyer argued that the accident did not result from his actions and, therefore, he should not be held criminally responsible.

The defence contends that the accident was caused by the motorcycle attempting to overtake from the wrong side, rather than by the driver’s failure to signal a turn.

The charge of damage to property was filed as another vehicle was damaged in the accident. However, the Prosecutor General’s Office has stated that this charge is under review, as the owner of the second car has informed the authorities that Mausoom has already covered most of the repair costs. The judge has deferred a decision on this charge to a later date.