Even as two months have passed, the Manikpur police in Thane rural is yet to decide as to whose negligence led to the fatal accident in Vasai, where a woman driving a two-wheeler had died after skidding while trying to dodge a pothole. The police cited that it hasn’t received a reply from the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) regarding the incident.
Confirming the development that they are yet to receive a reply, investigating officer, police inspector of Manikpur K. S. Hegaje stated, “MMRDA hasn’t responded yet. So, we have approached our deputy commissioner who will be taking up the matter with the MMRDA.” Despite repeated attempts, DCP Anil Kumbhare remained unavailable for comment.
On July 19 this year, Asha Damdare (48), who was riding without a helmet, fell off her bike while dodging a pothole on Vasai railway bridge. She succumbed to her grievous head injuries three days later on July 22.
A few days later, the Manikpur police after communicating with the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, sent a legal notice to the MMRDA, which was responsible for maintaining the road.
The road belongs to the state public works department, which had assigned its maintenance to the MMRDA and hence, officials of both bodies were to be held responsible. Incidentally, a letter highlighting the pothole issue was written by the police department to the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation even before the accident had occurred.
The police at the time had posthumously booked Damdare for negligence under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code, as she did not have a driving licence, but they are yet to bring government officials to justice.