R v Waqqas Amin Raja & Anor

R v Waqqas Amin Raja & Anor

Any misdirection regarding Raja's police interview was immaterial given the compelling CCTV evidence of dangerous driving; the judge's directions were sufficiently balanced and did not undermine the defence. The judge did not pressure the jury and handled deliberations appropriately. Idrak's sentence was not manifestly excessive or wrong in principle; the new guideline was correctly applied and delay did not warrant further reduction.

Parties
Prosecution: Rex; Applicant: Waqqas Amin Raja; Applicant: Junaid Muhammad Idrak; Victim: Surrinder Gupta; Victim: Raj Gupta
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
21 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Renewed Applications for Leave to Appeal
Outcome
applications for leave to appeal refused
Legal Topics
Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving, Sentencing Guidelines, Jury Directions, Unsafe Conviction, Delay in Sentencing
Criminal Law Causing Death by Dangerous Driving Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving Sentencing Guidelines Jury Directions Unsafe Conviction Delay in Sentencing

Case Brief

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Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Waqqas Amin Raja

Applicant

Junaid Muhammad Idrak

Applicant

Surrinder Gupta

Victim

Raj Gupta

Victim

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Renewed Applications for Leave to Appeal

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Raja's conviction was arguably unsafe due to jury directions on police interview statements
  2. 2 Whether the judge erred in allowing jury deliberations while prosecution considered adding an alternative count
  3. 3 Whether Idrak's sentence was manifestly excessive or wrong in principle due to delay and change in sentencing guidelines

Ratio Decidendi

Any misdirection regarding Raja's police interview was immaterial given the compelling CCTV evidence of dangerous driving; the judge's directions were sufficiently balanced and did not undermine the defence. The judge did not pressure the jury and handled deliberations appropriately. Idrak's sentence was not manifestly excessive or wrong in principle; the new guideline was correctly applied and delay did not warrant further reduction.

Court Disposition

applications for leave to appeal refused

Orders

  • Raja's renewed application for leave to appeal against conviction refused
  • Idrak's renewed application for leave to appeal against sentence refused