Chennai, July 17:
Businessman Shaji Purushothaman failed to appear before the VII Additional District and Sessions Court on Thursday in connection with the 2013 Egmoredrunken driving case, leading to an adjournment of the proceedings to July 30.
Counsel for Purushothaman informed Judge P Srikumar that an appeal challenging his conviction had been filed before the Supreme Court of India.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on May 22, 2013, near the Egmore Children’s Hospital in Chennai. Purushothaman was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and without a valid licence when his car mounted the pavement, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring four others.
He was convicted under Sections 304 (II) and 308 (four counts) of the Indian Penal Code, along with offences under the Motor Vehicles Act.
When the judgment was delivered on June 29, 2026, Purushothaman did not appear in court. His plea seeking exemption from personal appearance was dismissed, and the trial court issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) to secure his presence for sentencing.
Challenging the NBW, he moved the Madras High Court, stating he was undergoing physiotherapy for a back ailment. Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy subsequently recalled the warrant and directed him to appear before the trial court on July 16, 2026.
With his absence continuing, the matter now stands postponed, pending further proceedings and developments in the Supreme Court appeal.