Bombay High Court Quashes FIR Against 20-Year-Old For Fatally Running Over Stray Dog, Citing Potential Career Impact

Quashing a case against a 20-year-old man for rash and negligent driving owing to which a stray dog was killed, the Bombay High Court recently observed that continuance of the criminal proceedings would mar his career and future prospects. The court also noted that the youth had donated Rs 5,000 towards the welfare of stray dogs.

“The petitioner is young; a student of third-year engineering and has a good academic record. Continuance of criminal proceedings can mar his career and future prospects,” a division bench of Justices Anuja Prabhudessai and NR Borkar said on January 16. 

In October 2023, the man drove his car into a temporary shed in suburban Borivali, causing damage to idols being prepared there and death of a stray. The man was booked for rash driving, acts endangering personal lives and mischief under the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

The man approached the court seeking quashing of the FIR, saying he has already paid Rs 2 lakh to the shed’s owner, who, too, supported the quashing petition and said that he has amicably resolved the dispute.