Police negligence helps accident-accused biker flee from hospital

Bharat Jadhav, a resident of Tanaji Nagar at Malad (East), was taking his daughter-in-law Lavanya to Sewri TB hospital yesterday. Other family members were in the car too. Lavanya's condition was critical and she needed urgent medical attention. Around 1 pm, the Tata Indica, which Bharat had borrowed from a neighbour, started overheating on Vakola Bridge, Western Express Highway. The driver stationed the car towards the left on the road.u00a0

Background story: Complainant Bharat Maruti Jadhav (left) points towards the damaged rear of the Tata Indica that was hit by the biker.u00a0

Lavanya's husband Laxman stood behind the car, directing other vehicles to drive by. The patient was resting on the backseat. All of a sudden, a man on a Yamaha FZ bike hit the stationary car from behind. The impact was so powerful that even though the car's handbrake was on, it moved forward about 10 feet before coming to a halt. Luckily, Laxman escaped unhurt.

The Yamaha FZ that was involved in the accident

The biker - Mohammad Zakaria (20) - got badly injured in the accident. Cops said Zakaria was racing some of his friends on Western Express Highway. He was ahead of the others at the time.

Meanwhile, Lavanya was in a state of shock following the mishap and relatives rushed her home instead of taking her to the hospital. Zakaria's friends took him to SL Raheja Hospital at Mahim.

Complainant Bharat Jadhav says the duty officer at Vakola police station did not bother to investigate. When MiD DAY reached the hospital in the evening, Zakaria had already left without notifying the police.

When asked about Zakaria, Vakola police station duty officer Shaukat Inamdar expressed his ignorance. In fact, the sub-inspector did not even know Zakaria's name. At the time of going to the press Zakaria was still at large. Police officers contacted by MiD DAY refused to comment on Inamdar's conduct.

Senior inspector Rajendra Pardesi of Vakola police station said, "The accused is still missing. We will register a case against him for rash and negligent driving. Once the biker is arrested we will add more sections on him."

A case was lodged late in the evening. The complainant says the accused could not produce a licence or any other document when he demanded to see them at the spot. A police source confirmed to MiD DAY that the duty officer was not keen to file an FIR.u00a0