Maribyrnong mayor Pradeep Tiwari has returned to council after escaping conviction on a dangerous driving charge.
As reported by Star Weekly, Cr Tiwari was charged with 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, saying he had only recently become aware of the dangerous driving charges.
On Tuesday 14 October, Cr Tiwari took to social media to announce that the court proceedings had concluded.
He said he had been fined $450 without conviction on the charge of driving with an unrestrained passenger.
“My child is a Houdini, and had slipped out from the seat belt and I sat them on my lap, safely, while driving to the nearest place at which I could safely pull over,” he said in the statement.
“Charges of dangerous driving and using a phone while driving were withdrawn by the police.
“The court agreed that such a matter would ordinarily attract an on-the-spot fine.”
Cr Tiwari said his case had received “disproportionate” media attention, while also acknowledging the community’s right to hold public figures to account.
“To everyone who has reached out, shown understanding, and supported me through this — thank you. I remain deeply committed to serving the people of Maribyrnong, my ward, and our wider city with transparency, responsibility, and respect,” he said,
In a statement issued on the same day, Maribyrnong council confirmed that Cr Tiwari had resumed his duties as a mayor and councillor.
Council said it would not be making any further comment on the issue.
First elected in last October’s municipal elections, Cr Tiwari was elected Maribyrnong mayor in November, with council claiming he was Victoria’s first mayor of Indian heritage.
