Nagpur: Come Monday, July 1, 2024, the devastating bus accident on the Samruddhi Mahamarg reaches its one-year mark. At least 25 persons, including three children, were charred to death after a luxury bus carrying 33 passengers met with an accident and caught fire on the newly constructed Expressway near Sindkhedraja, Buldhana district in Vidarbha on Saturday, July 1, 2023.
However, the wait for justice on various counts continues for the anguished families of the victims.
In a press release forwarded to Nagpur Today, Parinit Wankar, a resident of Javeri Cooperative Residential Society in Pimple Saudagar area in Pune and who lost his mother Shobha (58), wife Vrushali (38) and his two-year-old daughter Ovi in the accident, lamented that despite the passage of a year, the police investigation remains incomplete, with no substantial action taken against the responsible parties. Although the driver was arrested, he was released on bail shortly after, and there has been no action against the vehicle owner. Additionally, the financial assistance promised by the government has not yet reached some of the affected families.
He said that the government initially took necessary steps post-incident, but strict action against those responsible has yet to be taken. The driver, who was under the influence of liquor at the time of the accident, faced no severe consequences and was released on bail. The travel agency owner has also not faced any significant action.
Parinit further said that the Pollution Under Control (PUC) Centre that issued the certificate to the bus was shut down, yet no action was taken against those responsible for issuing the faulty certificate. The critical report from the Buldhana Deputy Regional Transport Officer is still pending, and the police investigation remains ongoing without filing a charge sheet.
He said the families of the victims suspect delays in the investigation due to possible interference, as the bus was registered under the name of an RTO officer’s wife.
Family concerns and demands:
Family members of the victims want to file a complaint and be included in the investigation process. There is a demand for the formation of an inquiry committee to ensure a transparent investigation and appropriate legal action against those responsible. Families called for actions against the travel agency owner for misuse of power and ensuring all their vehicles’ documents are thoroughly inspected.
Despite knowing about the driver’s alcoholism, the bus owner allowed him to drive, leading to the accident. Both the driver and the bus owner should be held accountable for the deaths caused by their negligence.
Parinit further said that the conductor of the luxury bus, Sandeep Maroti Rathod (31), resident of Anandnagar Taluka, Yavatmal District, who was also a friend of the accused driver, was present at the time of the incident. This could potentially bias the investigation and lessen the seriousness of the charges. Therefore, families who lost members in the accident should be given the opportunity to file complaints as plaintiffs in the case registered on July 1, 2023, at Sindkhedraja Police Station, Buldhana District (FIR No. 0140).
Despite a year having passed, the police department investigating the incident has not yet contacted the family members of the deceased, indicating a stalled investigation. To ensure a proper and transparent investigation, an inquiry committee should be formed. This committee should conduct a transparent investigation and use its report to ensure legal action against the culprits. Given that the husband of travels owner is an RTO officer, there is concern that he may misuse his authority to misdirect the investigation. Hence, forming an inquiry committee at the government level is essential for a transparent investigation.
The luxury bus (MH-29-BE-1819) involved in the accident is registered under the name of a woman whose husband, Bhaskar Darne, is employed in the RTO department. It has come to light that the vehicle’s documents are incomplete and that the business of passenger transportation under Vidarbha Travels is being conducted in his wife’s name. Immediate action should be taken to impose restrictions on Vidarbha Travels, seize and seal all their buses, and thoroughly inspect all their vehicle documents.
The driver of the luxury bus, Sheikh Danish Sheikh Israil, a resident of Rahmatnagar, Darwha, District Yavatmal, was known to be an alcoholic. Despite this knowledge, Bhaskar Darne allowed him to drive the vehicle. On the night of the accident, the driver boarded the bus after consuming alcohol at 11:30 pm, and within two hours, at 1:40 am, lost control of the vehicle. Both the driver and Bhaskar Darne should be held equally responsible for the deaths caused by this negligence. Following the complete burning of the bus, Bhaskar Darne allegedly used his connections to complete the previously incomplete vehicle documents. Despite being indirectly responsible for the accident, he attempted to evade responsibility. A case of culpable homicide should be registered against him as well.
A year after the Samruddhi Expressway accident, the families of the victims are still waiting for justice. They demand a transparent investigation, appropriate legal actions against those responsible, and fulfilment of the promised government assistance.
7 killed as car enters Samruddhi from wrong side
At least seven people lost their lives while three were left injured in a tragic collision between two cars on the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway near Kadwanchi village after one of them entered the road from the wrong side.
The accident occurred late Friday, June 28, night when a Swift Dzire drove the wrong way onto the Samruddhi Highway after refuelling and collided with an Ertiga, which was heading from Nagpur to Mumbai.
According to the eyewitnesses, the impact of the collision was so severe that it caused the Ertiga to be thrown into the air, landing on the highway’s barricade while passengers were thrown out onto the road. The other car involved was left severely damaged, becoming a twisted mass of metal.
Seven individuals involved in the terrible crash died on the spot with visuals showing the sight of their bloodied bodies lying on the highway.
Upon receiving information about the accident, both the Samruddhi Highway Police and Jalna Police promptly responded to the scene.
A crane was utilised to clear the wreckage from the highway, and the injured people were immediately rushed to the district hospital for necessary medical treatment.
