Maribyrnong Mayor Pradeep Tiwari has announced he will temporarily step down from his duties while he faces court over dangerous driving charges, condemning racist abuse directed at him in response to the case.
In a statement on social media, Tiwari said he was recently made aware of the allegations, which date back to June 2023 in Flemington, before his election to council. “This matter has nothing to do with my work on council or for the period I have been on council,” he said.
“As this is a legal matter I cannot speak about it further, and with lawyers I am working to resolve it as quickly as possible,”
Tiwari added, while thanking community members for their support.
However, the mayor also strongly criticised racist comments that surfaced online following media coverage.
“It is very difficult for me to understand why the entire Indian community is being mocked and degraded with racist commentary. Racism has no place in our society, and I will continue to call it out whenever it appears,”
he said.
Tiwari confirmed he would remain a councillor but step back as mayor while the case is before the courts.
Deputy Mayor Bernadette Thomas will serve as Acting Mayor during his absence.
“Once this legal matter and investigation are resolved, I fully intend to return to my role and continue representing our community,”
he said.
The development comes after Tiwari was briefly the subject of an arrest warrant when he failed to appear at a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court hearing.
Magistrate John Doherty approved the police prosecution’s request for a warrant, noting,
“Amongst other things, this fellow is charged with driving in a manner that’s dangerous, a jailable offence … he needs to be at court.”
The warrant was later withdrawn after the court received information from Tiwari’s lawyers, and the case was adjourned until October.
Tiwari faces charges of alleged dangerous driving, touching a portable device while driving, and failing to ensure a passenger was not seated in the same seat as the driver.
Elected mayor in November 2024, Tiwari became the first mayor of Indian heritage in Victoria’s history. A well-known figure in Melbourne’s inner west, he previously served as president of the West Footscray Traders Association and continues to run Bharat Traders, an Indian grocery business founded by his father in 1991.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
