Businessman runs over pup at posh Kandivli society

Animal welfare officer says police haven’t added charges for hit-and-run in the FIR; accused says missed the animal due to poor lighting

A 30-year-old businessman allegedly ran over a puppy in a posh Kandivli society, killing it. The man, Kunal Rupani, lives in Borivli and had entered Nirmal Apartment Housing Society to drop off relatives after dinner on March 13. A complaint has been filed against Rupani, who runs an automobile service centre in South Mumbai. Rupani said he missed the pup due to poor lighting.

As per Darshan Soni, 48, an Animal Welfare Officer appointed by the Bombay High Court, mid-day, “I was apprised of the matter on March 15 night, so I approached the Kandivli police station the next day to seek police support so that I could visit the crime spot to conduct groundwork. The spot where the dog was crushed under the wheel is a well-lit area of the society yet the driver of the car, in which around five people were seated, ran over the dog.”

Soni added, “Immediately after the incident, a security staff rushed after the car to tell the driver about the incident but he did not care,” said the Animal Welfare Officer. In CCTV footage, Soni said, it can be seen that the stray pup was sleeping in the compound under bright LED lights and a sudden blind turn by the four-wheeler caused it to be crushed under the right tyre of the vehicle.

“The car proceeded without anyone taking note of the horrible incident. After some time, the same car drove back but managed to bypass the dead puppy between its wheels. The next morning, the relatives of the accused driver directed the society’s sanitary staff to dispose of the body of the pup without informing the municipal corporation,” said Soni, who runs an NGO called Citizen’s Rights Protection Committee. The police have registered an FIR under sections 429, 279 of the Indian Penal Code and section 11 (1)(C) of the Prevention of Animal Cruelty Act. “It is a clear cut hit-and-run case but the cops have not added a section related to this,” Soni said.

‘I’m feeling guilty, too’

Rupani said, “It is true that one dog was crushed under my car but I could not see as the area was not properly lit. I belong to a hard-core religious family, I do feel guilty for the loss,” said Rupani, who runs an automobile service centre at Opera House.

Car belongs to Rupani’s wife

An officer attached to the Kandivli police station said, “We have registered an FIR and our investigation is underway. We are in the process of recording the statements of society people and security guards before arresting the accused.”

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