ORDER

A. Pasayat, J. - On the accusation of rash and negligent driving which resulted in the death of a school going minor girl Bhanumati Pande (hereinafter referred to as the 'deceased'), Prafulla Kumar Rout (hereinafter referred to as the 'accused') faced trial. He was found guilty, convicted and sentenced.

2. Accusations, in short, are as follows :

On 7-l-1986 at about 4 p.m. while students of Khantapade Girls' High School were returning home after closer of school, a bus named "Madhabika" bearing registration No. SRS 3821 which was being driven by the accused came at a high speed, and dashed against the deceased, ran over her and caused her instantaneous death at the spot of accident. Accused who was driving the vehicle left the bus at the spot and fled away, Revenue Supervisor of Sore Tahesil (P.W. 13) who was returning from Khantapade R.I.'s Office lodged F.I.R. at Khantapade Police Station, investigation was undertaken and after completion of investigation, chargesheet was submitted.

3. Seventeen witnesses were examined to further the prosecution case. Out of them P. Ws. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13 and 14 claimed to be the eyewitnesses, P.Ws, 5, 6 and 7, school mates of the decea