Parveen Bala acquitted of his charges in court

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is yet to comment on the acquittal of Infrastructure Minister Parveen Bala earlier today.

Bala was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death.

Lautoka Magistrate Rangajeeva Wimalasena today ruled that Bala had no case to answer after the application filed by the defence counsel.

Magistrate Wimalasena said that the court did not believe the witnesses as they gave contradictory evidence.

He then acquitted Bala of the charge.

A 48‑year‑old man was crossing the road in Teidamu, Lautoka when he was hit by a vehicle in November, 2013.

The man was taken to the hospital but died three hours later.

While taking the stand during the case, the victim’s wife and other state witnesses said that they could not see the driver of the vehicle.