Chennai Court Convicts EMPEE Group Heir in 2013 Drunk Driving Death of 13-Year-Old
A Chennai court has convicted Shaji Purushothaman, the son of the founder of the EMPEE Group, in a drunk driving case that led to the death of a 13-year-old boy and injuries to five others in 2013. The court also issued a non-bailable warrant after Purushothaman failed to appear for the verdict, citing ill health.
According to the prosecution, on the night of May 22, 2013, Purushothaman and three others consumed alcohol. Driving a Mercedes Benz car under the influence of alcohol, and with the abetment of his three friends, he drove rashly and negligently. Around 1 am on May 23, near a maternity hospital in Egmore, he lost control of the vehicle, collided with a police patrol vehicle, then hit a parked motorcycle and a bus shelter, and finally struck children sleeping on the pavement. The impact killed 13-year-old Muniraj and injured five others, including a minor girl.
The case was registered based on an eyewitness account. Purushothaman was arrested on July 30, 2013, after being declared a proclaimed offender. He was the first accused; his friends Syed Anwar and Anil Rao, as well as driver R.M. Kumar, were also named. The prosecution alleged that Purushothaman did not have a valid driving license, and none of the accused helped the injured or informed the police.
The prosecution challenged Purushothaman's claim that Kumar was driving, citing the FIR, and confessional statements from two co-passengers under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code before a magistrate, which stated he was driving after consuming alcohol. Other witnesses also identified him as the driver. A medical drunkenness certificate from Government Royapettah Hospital supported the allegation. The inspector who allowed him to leave the scene was suspended, and the investigation was transferred to an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
During the trial, Syed Anwar was discharged, and Anil Rao was relieved from the trial. The VII Additional District Sessions Judge, P. Srikumar, pronounced the verdict on Monday, finding Purushothaman guilty under Section 304(II) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Indian Penal Code, along with offences under the Motor Vehicles Act for driving without a license and driving under the influence. Kumar, the driver, was acquitted.
Purushothaman did not appear for the judgment. The court dismissed the plea for his absence due to lack of evidence and issued a non-bailable warrant. The police have been ordered to secure him and produce him before the court.
