Chennai Businessman Shaji Purushothaman Sentenced to Five Years for Drunk‑Driving Death of Boy

A Chennai court convicted Shaji Purushothaman, director of the EMPEE group of companies, of culpable homicide after a 2013 drunk‑driving crash near Egmore Children's Hospital killed a 13‑year‑old boy and injured five others. The court sentenced him to five years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹10,000, with an additional three‑year term for attempted culpable homicide to run concurrently.

The incident occurred on 22–23 May 2013 when Purushothaman, driving under the influence and without a valid licence, lost control of his vehicle, struck a police patrol car and then a bus shelter, killing the boy and injuring several bystanders. After failing to appear for the verdict, a non‑bailable warrant was issued, and he was later apprehended and surrendered before the IV Additional Sessions Court.