The Bombay High Court on Thursday admitted former Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation employee Santosh Mane’s appeal against the death sentence handed to him by a trial court in Pune. The court, while admitting the appeal, observed that it would look into the mental condition of Mr. Mane at the time of the incident. In January 2012, Mr. Mane hijacked an empty MSRTC bus and went on a killing spree. He rammed the bus into many vehicles and mowed down people during the early morning rampage before being overpowered by a group of feisty citizens after a 45-minute ordeal. He was handed over to the police and the trial court sentenced him to death for killing nine people and injuring 37.
On Thursday, the confirmation of Mr. Mane’s death sentence and his appeal against it were placed before the Bombay High Court. While the prosecution argued on the grounds of insanity, the defence said Mr. Mane was under medication for mental illness at the time of the incident. The court admitted the appeal and tagged both the matters together. It will take it up on March 12 when it is expected to decide the date for the commencement of hearing. Earlier, the court had sent the matter back to the trial court after Mr Mane had alleged that mandatory provisions under the Criminal Procedure Code were not followed by the trial court. After abiding by the High Court’s directives, the lower court carried out the procedures as mandated under the Cr.P.C., and again handed him the death sentence.
