AAP MLA sentenced for worker’s death in 2009, gets bail

New Delhi, Sep 1 (IANS) A court here has awarded 18 months' imprisonment to Aam Aadmi Party legislator Pawan Sharma in a 2009 case related to the death of a factory worker through negligence.

Sharma, a legislator from Adarsh Nagar, told IANS on Thursday that he will challenge the order and will file an appeal in the sessions court.

Metropolitan Magistrate Virender Singh on August 29 held Sharma, 47, guilty under Sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code.

The court said that factory worker Ram Kumar died due to the negligent act of the convict Sharma.

The court awarded 18-month jail term to Sharma and slapped him with a fine of Rs 100,000.

The court directed Sharma to deposit the fine amount in Delhi Legal service Authority.

However, the court granted him bail so that he can file an appeal against the order in the higher court.

"As the convict has been sentenced to less than three years of simple imprisonment, therefore, in the interest of justice, the application (bail plea) is allowed," the court said asking him to furnish a personal and surety bond of Rs 20,000.

A case was registered against him on August 5, 2009, at north Delhi's Samaypur Badli police station.

Delhi Police alleged that a worker Ram Kumar was injured while working in the factory due to the negligent conduct of the company Sharma Industry, which deals in steel production.

The worker was rushed to a hospital but he died a day after the accident.

Sharma was the proprietor of the company.

The court also directed that the wife and daughter of diseased Ram Kumar can claim the compensation amount from the Delhi Legal service Authority in addition to some other suitable compensation as and when they want.