Reinstated Maribyrnong mayor Pradeep Tiwari says he is disappointed by the delays in the handling of a dangerous driving charge against him, which resulted in him being stood down from council for almost two months.
Cr Tiwari returned to council on 14 October after being fined $450 without conviction for driving with an unrestrained passenger.
The more serious charged of dangerous driving and another charge of using a phone while driving were dropped.
He was charged with the traffic offences relating to an incident in Flemington on 14 June last year, before he was elected to Maribyrnong council.
Cr Tiwari stood down from his duties as a councillor and mayor on 25 August this year.
Speaking to Star Weekly following the conclusion of the court process, Cr Tiwari said he only became aware of the court case and a magistrate’s decision to issue an arrest warrant over his failure to appear in court on 21 August, after being contacted by a journalist.
He said the warrant was revoked within the hour after it became apparent police had not served him with the charges.
“I wasn’t hiding it,” he said, “I am mayor of a city, I’m out every single day.
“Why would you want to evade court?”
Cr Tiwari said the court was told that the police couldn’t find him – something he feels is hard to believe.
“I’m out every day, I have meet the mayor days advertised a month in advance,” he said.
He has also questioned why police took a year to charge him over the incident.
He said he would write to the relevant police bodies to find out why there was a delay, adding that he believes the incident was the result in an error of judgement by one police officer.
Cr Tiwari said the incident hadn’t impacted his confidence in police or the legal system.
Cr Tiwari said he was relieved to return to council and that the seven-and-a-half weeks he spent away from his role had been difficult.
“I kept feeling bad that I wasn’t able to represent the community, especially my ward and constituents,” he said.
Cr Tiwari said his first order of business after being reinstated was to visit the Footscray Mall with council officer’s to receive feedback on the city’s security patrol trial.
“This was my priority to do because it was very contentious,” he said.
“I got lots of feedback from residents and traders.”
With his mayoral term due to wrap up next month, Cr Tiwari said his focus was on Footscray’s revitalisation.
“I had a few things in Footscray that I wanted to see pan out before the end of my mayoral term.”
