Latest news with #Darmaraju
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
Duta toll plaza crash: Driver's 30-day jail sentence increased to six months
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has increased the 30-day jail term to six months for the driver of a four-wheel drive vehicle who crashed into a couple riding a high-powered motorcycle near the Duta Toll Plaza and fled the scene. Judge K. Muniandy made the ruling during a review of the Magistrate's Court's decision on May 13 to impose a 30-day jail term and RM12,000 fine on K. Darmaraju, 32, for reckless driving. The judge ordered the six-month jail sentence to commence from the date of arrest on May 11 and upheld the RM12,000 fine. The accused, a car accessories salesman, was also disqualified from obtaining a driving licence for five years. Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman argued that the 30-day sentence would pass in an instant and the RM12,000 fine had been paid, but the victims had suffered permanent disability and relied on family support and hospital treatment. "Therefore, the prosecution is seeking a punishment that will serve as a lesson to the accused and to the public. This case should serve as a reminder of the risks, impact and consequences of reckless driving," he said. Defence counsel S. Vinesh requested that the High Court judge uphold the Magistrate's Court's decision. Darmaraju was charged with recklessly driving a pickup truck on the North-South Expressway heading towards the city centre near the Duta Toll Plaza at 2.30 pm on May 10. The charge, under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, carries a maximum jail term of five years, a fine of up to RM15,000, disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for at least five years, revocation of a probationary driving licence, and endorsement of the offence on the driving licence. According to the facts of the case, the two victims were riding their motorcycle in the far-left lane when a four-wheel-drive vehicle suddenly veered into their path in a dangerous manner and hit them. The accused then fled the scene. As a result, both victims were thrown onto the road and sustained serious injuries. – Bernama
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Nissan Navara driver jailed 6 months instead of 30 days after High Court reviews sentence
KUALA LUMPUR: The driver of a Nissan Navara involved in a collision with a motorcycle near the Duta Toll Plaza on May 10 will now be behind bars for six months instead of the previously sentenced 30 days. This came after High Court judge K. Muniandy reviewed the magistrate's court's 30-day sentence and increased the jail term against car accessories salesman K. Darmaraju, 32. Muniandy, however, maintained the RM12,000 fine as well as the five-year suspension of his driving license as imposed by the magistrate's court. On May 13, magistrate Khairunnisak Hassni sentenced Darmaraju to 30 days jail from his arrest on May 11 and imposed a RM12,000 fine, in default 12-months imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty to reckless driving on the North-South Expressway towards the city centre at 2.30pm on May 10. Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman today submitted that the 30-day jail term and the RM12,000 fine did not reflect the aim of the law amendments and the commitment of the parliament to protect the rights and safety of road users. "The RM12,000 has already been paid by the accused. The 30-day jail term passes in the blink of an eye, compared to the victims who suffer permanent disability and are dependent on their family's help and hospital treatment. "For the court's information, Suhailiza Shamsudin (who was riding pillion) is still being treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to bleeding in her head. "The failure of the magistrate to consider the public interest in this case has led to public criticism, with calls for heavier penalties and stricter action to be taken against the driver of the Nissan Navara. "The prosecution seeks a deterrent sentence to serve as a lesson not only to the accused but to the public who intend to commit the same act. "This case should serve as a reminder to the public on the risks, impact and consequences of driving recklessly, and public interest should be emphasised in such cases," he said. Sabri had told the court to consider Darmaraju's reckless driving as he had driven at high speed and dangerously overtook the motorcycle, which was going straight on the left most lane. He said the accused had immediately left the location without stopping. "As a result of the collision, the rider, Faizal Mat,53, suffered a fractured collarbone and a laceration to the ankle while Suhailiza, 49, who was riding pillion, suffered bleeding in the head, a broken ankle and a fractured right rib. "They were brought to the Sungai Buloh Hospital. This clearly showed the great impact of the accused's driving at high speed at the time," he said. Sabri also said an eye-witness had confirmed Darmaraju's reckless driving as seen in a one-minute dashcam video of the incident, which clearly showed him ramming the right side of the motorcycle, which caused Faizal to lose control of his machine while Suhailiza fell off the machine. The prosecutor said Darmaraju had disregarded the safety of other road users. "The offence by the accused had not only caused property losses, but there were two victims who were affected by the accused's reckless driving. "The commitment to preserve the safety of motorists can be seen in the long imprisonment and high fine as provided in Section 42 of the Road Transport Act. "This shows the commitment of the parliament to protect the rights of road users and to deter inhumane acts against one another," said Sabri. Lawyer S. Vinesh, who represented Darmaraju, requested the High Court not to interfere with the decision made by the magistrate's court. Lawyer T. Daneish also represented Darmaraju, while deputy public prosecutor Harvind Raja Gopal appeared alongside Sabri.
Daily Express
14-05-2025
- Daily Express
Nissan Navara driver jailed 30 days, fined RM12,000 for reckless driving that seriously injured bikers on Duta Toll Plaza
Published on: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 14, 2025 By: Malay Mail Text Size: Screengrab of a viral video showing the Nissan Navara hitting a couple on a motorcycle near the Duta Toll Plaza. Kuala Lumpur: A man was reportedly sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined RM12,000 by the Magistrates' Court here today after pleading guilty to reckless driving that seriously injured two motorcyclists on the PLUS Highway. Free Malaysia Today reported that K Darmaraju, 32, admitted to driving recklessly under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a penalty of up to five years' jail and a fine between RM5,000 and RM15,000. 'He has promised not to repeat this mistake,' his lawyer S Vinesh was quoted telling the court, adding that his client regretted the incident and had apologised to the victims. Vinesh pleaded for leniency, citing Darmaraju's RM2,500 monthly income as a salesman, his recent marriage, and his financial responsibility for his elderly parents. The crash took place around 2.30pm on May 10 before the city-bound Jalan Duta toll plaza when Darmaraju's vehicle hit a motorcycle carrying a middle-aged couple from behind. The victims, who were riding in the left lane, suffered serious injuries including bone fractures; the pillion rider sustained head trauma, a broken ankle, and a fractured rib. Darmaraju fled the scene after the collision and was arrested on May 11. Magistrate Khairunnisak Hassni ordered the 30-day sentence to begin from the date of arrest, and ruled that Darmaraju would serve six months in jail if he failed to pay the fine. In addition to the prison sentence and fine, the court disqualified Darmaraju from holding a driving licence for five years. The lawyer also informed the court that Darmaraju's father was scheduled for an upcoming eye surgery, further highlighting the family's dependence on him. The prosecution did not oppose the defence's plea but stressed the severity of the injuries and the accused's failure to stop after the incident. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Barnama
13-05-2025
- Barnama
4WD Driver Jailed, Fined Over Hit And Run Near Duta Toll Plaza
KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 (Bernama) -- The driver of a four-wheel-drive vehicle (4WD), who crashed into a couple riding a high-powered motorcycle near the Duta Toll Plaza, last Saturday, and fled the scene, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined RM12,000 by the Magistrate's Court here today for reckless driving. Magistrate Khairunnisak Hassni also ordered 32-year-old car accessories salesman K. Darmaraju to begin serving his 30-day jail sentence on May 11, after he pleaded guilty to recklessly driving a Nissan Navara on the North-South Expressway (PLUS), towards the city centre near the Duta Toll Plaza, at 2.30 pm on May 10. The court also ordered that the man be sentenced to an additional 12 months in jail if he fails to pay the fine. In addition, the offence will be endorsed on his driving licence, and he is disqualified from obtaining a driving licence for five years, starting today. The accused was charged under Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, a fine of up to RM15,000, disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for no less than five years, revocation of a probationary driving licence, and the endorsement of the offence on the driving licence. Prosecuting officer Inspector Syazwan Hasifi pressed for a sentence which would serve as a deterrent to the accused, while lawyer S. Vinesh, representing the accused, sought a lighter prison sentence and fine on the grounds that his client was newly married and financially supporting his parents. 'My client apologises to all parties involved and promises not to repeat the offence in the future,' said the lawyer. According to the facts of the case, on the day of the incident, the two victims were riding their motorcycle in the far-left lane, when they were hit by a four-wheel-drive vehicle which suddenly veered into their path in a dangerous manner. After hitting the victims' motorcycle, the accused immediately fled the scene without stopping his vehicle. As a result, both victims were thrown onto the road and sustained serious injuries.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- The Sun
Navara driver receives 30-day jail term for reckless driving
PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur magistrates' court today sentenced a 32-year-old man to 30 days behind bars after he admitted to driving recklessly. K. Darmaraju entered a guilty plea to charges under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 following an incident where he sideswiped a motorcycle with a middle-aged couple aboard on the PLUS Highway last Saturday. In addition to jail time, the court imposed a RM12,000 fine on Darmaraju. Magistrate Khairunnisak Hassni ruled that the defendant would face six months' imprisonment if he failed to pay the fine, according to Free Malaysia Today (FMT). ALSO READ: Navara driver detained, hit-and-run victims suffer brain bleeding, broken bones Navara driver who hit couple on motorcycle not truck owner: police
