A sessions court in Mumbai on Tuesday sentenced a horse handler to two years’ rigorous imprisonment in connection with the 2017 death of a six-year-old girl during a joyride in South Mumbai.
The victim, Janhavi Mistry, daughter of Mahendra Mistry, CEO of a private firm, died after falling from a horse while visiting a park. She sustained severe injuries and later succumbed at a hospital.
Court convicts under IPC Section 304-II
Sessions Judge Avinash Kulkarni convicted horse handler Sohan Jaiswal under Section 304-II of the Indian Penal Code (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). The detailed order is awaited.
According to the prosecution, the child was thrown off the horse and fell between the animal’s legs during the ride. Prosecutor Anand Sukhdeve examined six witnesses, including the girl’s parents, during the trial.
The prosecution argued that Jaiswal did not possess a valid licence to offer horse rides and had failed to provide safety gear to the child.
Defence cites road condition
The defence contended that potholes and cracks on the road caused the horse to stumble, arguing that animals cannot be fully controlled by humans. However, the court held the handler responsible and found him guilty.
The verdict brings closure to a case that had drawn attention to safety standards in recreational activities involving animals.
The incident had earlier sparked debate over regulation and accountability in public spaces offering joyrides to children.