Indian in hit-and-run vows to face charges

MANILA, Philippines - The Filipino-Indian businessman who allegedly figured in a hit-and-run that killed a motorcycle driver in Makati City on Tuesday said he will face the charges filed against him.

In a letter to The STAR, Rajiv Ramesh Dargani said he has no intention to leave the country to run away from his case.

Dargani admitted that he was temporarily detained at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Sunday by agents of the Bureau of Immigration after his name popped up in the bureau’s “lookout order” following the hit-and-run incident.

He said he returned to the country after a three-day trip to Hong Kong with his family on April 26 for a “religious discourse.”

Dargani was able to leave because no hold departure order was issued against him, airport authorities said.

“I have no intention of running away from this case which is undergoing preliminary investigation. I am ready to face the charges at the proper time,” Dargani said.

He said his inclusion in the BI watchlist stemmed from a case of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide filed by the Makati police despite the alleged refusal of the victims to sue him.

Makati City police chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban earlier said he was informed by the immigration agents of the presence of Dargani at the NAIA.

Lukban said the BI called the Indian businessman to verify the status of the case filed against him.

The police chief stressed that even if the victims have accepted Dargani’s out of court settlement, the police is mandated to file criminal complaint against him.

“He may settle his civil liabilities but as it is, it remains a criminal case. The State can still file the complaint against him even if the victims have accepted the settlement,” Lukban said.

Lukban also dared Dargani to present himself to police.

Last Saturday, Dargani, president of Sunglass Hut Philippines, again sent word through an emissary that he would surface soon. Sunglass Hut is a retailer of top brand sunglasses.

According to Lukban, the emissary was the one who shouldered the funeral and hospital expenses of Dargani’s two victims.

“If he would see us, we would explain to him the difference between a civil liability and a criminal liability,” Lukban said.

If convicted of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, Lukban said Dargani could spend between six and 12 years in jail.