Repeat Offender IT Professional Sentenced to Jail for Drunk Driving in Pune
Pune, 12th February 2025: A motor vehicles court in Pune sentenced a 45-year-old IT professional, Manmohan Tyagi, to seven days of imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹10,000 after he pleaded guilty to drunk driving. The court took a strict stance as Tyagi was a repeat offender, previously convicted for a similar offence.
In its February 7 ruling, Judicial Magistrate First Class Amrit Birajadar emphasized that Tyagi had not learned a lesson from his past conviction and that a mere fine would not be sufficient in this case.
“The accused has previously been convicted for the same offense. Had he reformed after his first conviction, this situation would not have arisen. A mere fine will not serve as a deterrent; a stricter sentence is necessary,” the court stated.
However, considering Tyagi’s plea that he was the sole breadwinner of his family, the magistrate took a lenient view and sentenced him to just seven days of imprisonment instead of a longer term.
According to Assistant Public Prosecutor Varsharani Jadhav, Tyagi had been convicted earlier on March 17, 2018, but was only fined at the time. However, his behavior did not change.
On December 12, 2024, the Wakad traffic police under the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate stopped him between Wakad Chowk and Bhumkar Chowk for driving under the influence. A chargesheet was filed against him after the investigation, and he was summoned to court.
On February 7, 2025, Tyagi appeared before the court, pleaded guilty, and sought leniency, expressing concern that a jail term could cost him his job.
“I work in an IT firm and I am the only earning member of my family. A jail sentence might lead to job loss, which would severely impact my household,” he told the court.
Despite his plea, the court ruled that his repeat offence warranted a stronger punishment. Following the sentencing, Tyagi was taken into custody, and after paying the fine, he was transferred to Yerawada Central Jail to serve his sentence.
