No arrest yet in tree-fall incident at Matheran resort that injured CA

Jesline Gomes, who was paralysed from the neck down, was discharged and is recovering slowly, but her family says the police has still not acted against the owner of the resort where the mishap took place

The 25-year-old chartered accountant, Jesline Gomes, who was grievously injured when a tree fell on the tent she was staying in, at a Matheran resort in March, was discharged from hospital on Saturday. But two months on, her sister said the police have still not arrested the resort owner. Raigad SP Ashok Dudhe has, however, assured mid-day they will take action against the hotel owner for negligence.

Gomes’s family and friends had approached the Matheran police to file an FIR against the resort but the cops had initially refused to register a complaint stating it was a natural calamity and that such incidents are common in Matheran. Gomes’s family then sent a legal notice to Alexander Heritage and Rainforest Resorts and to Matheran police through a lawyer. After mid-day’s report on the incident went viral, the police registered an FIR on April 21.

What happened

Gomes and her friend Karishma Gupta were sleeping at the Alexander Heritage and Rainforest Resort on March 21 when the tree fell on their tent. Gomes’ body was paralysed below the neck and for the past two months she was under treatment at Kokilaben hospital at Andheri. She received help from social media financially for her medical expenses with the support of family and friends.

Gomes’ sister Rosebud said, “My sister suffered a lot and the past two months were painful for her. Due to therapy at hospital she is recovering and her body is getting back some sensation. She is able to move her hand and to speak also. Her body movements are also returning. Now she is able to walk with a walker for a short distance. It’s really a blessing of God that there is no injury in her brain.”

“When we admitted Jesline to the hospital, doctors told us that they would have to perform a surgery and there was no guarantee that she will walk in future or that her sensation will return. But we had faith in God and the doctors. The doctors gave her physiotherapy which is helping her recover,” Rosebud added. 

To encourage and motivate Gomes, her friends created a Facebook page titled ‘Get well soon Jess’ Here, more than 200 of them created videos and sent messages to her saying they were with her and praying for her fast recovery. They were unable to meet her due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

“The hotel owner is responsible for this incident and he should be punished. The police should arrest him. It is two months, and the police still have not arrested the accused. Police should take the strictest action in this matter and give justice to my sister,” Rosebud added.

‘Will take action’

Speaking to mid-day, Raigad SP Ashok Dudhe said, “We are investigating the matter and we will take action. We also informed the Matheran Municipal Corporation to share information about the hotel, whether it has permission to install tents in the compound. We have already registered an FIR in the matter and will give justice to Jesline Gomes.” 

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