Navi Mumbai: Two women fall of from rashly driven BEST bus

Sita Waghe (right) and Soni Pawar (right) fell down from the BEST bus and sustained injuries/ Sourced Photo

The Koparkhairane police in Navi Mumbai have booked a BEST bus driver for rash driving and injuring two women who fell down from the moving bus on the highway. The victims who suffered serious head injuries are undergoing treatment in a private hospital. The two sisters were returning home when they met with an accident. Now the family is demanding action against the driver and compensation to meet the medical expenses.

According to the police, Sita Tukaram Waghe, 32, who is into selling crabs, is a resident of Bhimnagar in MIDC Rabale. In her statement to police, Sita said that on June 1, she along with her sister Soni Pawar, their mother and aunt went to catch crabs at the creek near Koparkhairane. "We usually go to catch crabs and sell them. This helps us to earn our livelihood. The accident took place when we were returning home," she said in her statement to police.

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The police said the accident took place between 6:15 pm and 6:30 pm near Varisht Hotel signal, Koparkhairane, Navi Mumbai. "We boarded the BEST bus 512 from sector 20 Zaika Hotel towards Rabale. My mother and aunt got into the bus, while I and Soni stood near the footboard at the rear entrance. The conductor was standing near the door so we couldn't get in. However, as soon as the bus took a speedy turn, we lost our balance and fell down. The bus driver didn't halt to help us. But my mother and aunt shouted for help. The driver halted and didn't give any help for the treatment," said Sita.

Both Sita and Soni had suffered serious head injuries and were shifted to a private hospital in Koparkhairane where they are undergoing treatment. "In the last four days, the expenses have gone over Rs 25,000. We catch crabs for our livelihood. But now how will we manage the bills and daily life," said Gauri Waghe, the victims' aunt. She added that the police station was barely a few metres from the spot. "Initially, the police were not inclined to lodge our case. After several visits and pleadings, the police relented to file a report. Who will take responsibility for the accident which resulted in the injuries?" said Gauri.

The Koparkhairane police in Navi Mumbai have registered a case under Sections 279, 337 and 338 of the Indian Penal Code and sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. A case has been registered against Swapnil Bhagwat Devere, the BEST bus driver who was driving the bus (MH 01 EM 4213) on June 1. "The police are yet to arrest the driver even after a case was registered," said Gauri.

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‘Initially, the police were not inclined to lodge our case. After several visits and pleadings, the police relented to file a report. Who will take responsibility for the accident which resulted in the injuries?'

Gauri Waghe, victims' aunt