Mumbai: Rickshaw Driver Killed, Friend Injured After Speeding SUV Runs Over Them While Sleeping On Versova Beach; 2 Arrested

Mumbai: A tragic accident in Versova claimed the life of 36-year-old Ganesh Yadav. Yadav, an auto-rickshaw driver, was sleeping at Sagar Kutir Chaupati, Seven Bungalows, Versova, Andheri, along with his friend Babalu Shrivastav, when a jeep ran over him, resulting in fatal injuries on August 12.

The incident occurred at around 5.45 am when a jeep (MH 31 FE 3033) drove onto the beach and ran over Yadav's face. His friend Shrivastav, 36, who was sleeping beside him, sustained injuries to his face and right hand. The police arrested the accused, Nikhil Jawade, 34, who drove the jeep and his associate, Shubham Dongre, 33, who sat beside him. Both are in police remand until August 16. Jawade hails from Nagpur, and Dongre is from Navi Mumbai.

According to the FIR, Yadav resided in the Sagar Kutir slum, Seven Bungalows, Andheri West. It was common for residents of the slum to sleep at Sagar Kutir Chaupati at night. On the night of August 12, Yadav and Shrivastav, who works as a delivery boy and lives in the same area, decided to sleep at the chaupati. At around 12.30 am, they made their bed near the board of Sagar Kutir Co-Housing Society, positioning their heads towards the seaside and fell asleep, with Yadav on Shrivastav's right.

Jeep Drove Over Yadav's Face

At 5.45 am, Shrivastav was abruptly awakened by a sharp pain in his face and right hand. He saw a grey colour jeep driving over Yadav's face and moving forward, leaving Yadav unconscious. Shrivastav noticed the word 'Jeep' on the vehicle. Two men, approximately 30 to 40 years old, exited the jeep and approached Yadav, attempting to move him, but he remained unresponsive. As people began gathering at the scene, the two men quickly returned to the jeep and fled.

Shrivastav noted that the jeep driver was fair-skinned, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, wearing a black shirt and jeans. His companion was also fair-skinned, around 5 feet 7 inches tall, and was wearing a grey shirt and jeans.

Yadav's relatives and residents quickly transported both Yadav and Shrivastav to Cooper Hospital in Vile Parle West. The doctor declared Yadav dead after examining him, while Shrivastav received medical treatment for his injuries.

Case Registered Against The Driver

Following his treatment, Shrivastav reported the incident to the Versova police, who have registered a case against the car driver. The police have lodged charges under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 125(a) (act endangering life or personal safety of others or wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement), 239 (intentional omission to give information of offence by person bound to inform), 281 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 3(5) (establishes joint criminal liability when two or more individuals act with a common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Motor Vehicle Act on August 12.

The Versova police have seized an SUV jeep that belonged to a Nagpur man, Satish Javde. Dongre had taken the jeep on contract from Satish to run a business. Javde had come to Mumbai to meet Dongre after dropping off a client at Lokhandwala, they decided to tour the city. The incident occurred when they entered a beach restricted to vehicles.

A police officer stated, "The accused had fled, but we arrested them. They entered the beach through an entrance not meant for vehicles. We are waiting for the medical report before confirming whether they were under the influence of alcohol." The police have not revealed further information.

A local resident stated, "Last year, a similar incident occurred on the beach, where a vehicle drove onto the sand, and a man was killed. Occasionally, vehicles come onto the beach, and a few get stuck in the mud."