Mumbai: Days after the tragic death of 75-year-old Neeta Nitin Shah, who was crushed between a Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) electric bus and an illegally parked car in Malabar Hill, police are moving towards action against those responsible for the obstruction.
The fatal accident occurred around 8:45 am on Tuesday, near the Sahyadri State Guest House, when Shah was walking from Malabar Hill Club towards Teen Batti. A BEST bus heading towards Kamala Nehru Park brushed past a car parked in a no-parking zone, trapping her in between. She fell under the bus’ rear tyre and sustained severe head injuries. She was rushed to JJ Hospital but was declared dead before admission.
Car Owner Summoned By Cops Over Illegal Parking
Malabar Hill police have traced the car owner, who was summoned for questioning on Wednesday. According to a Times of India report quoting sources, the owner claimed he did not personally park the vehicle there and that his driver had done so. The driver, in turn, alleged that the building watchman had moved the car while washing it in the morning. “Both are shifting blame, so we have summoned them and are also scanning CCTV footage to identify who exactly parked the vehicle,” a police source said, as quoted by TOI.
Cops believe multiple factors contributed to the accident, but they have identified the illegally parked car as a cause. Action is likely against the person responsible for the obstruction once the probe confirms the chain of events.
Police said the investigation into the Malabar Hill accident is ongoing, with both the driver and watchman under scrutiny, and CCTV footage expected to play a decisive role in fixing accountability.
Builder Niranjan Hiranandani Demands BMC Action After Friend's Death
Meanwhile, noted builder Niranjan Hiranandani, a close friend of Shah, has called on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to urgently clear all pavement encroachments in the area. “Because pavements are encroached, citizens are forced to walk on the road, risking their lives,” he said.
Shah, a widow living on Ridge Road, was known for her twice-daily walks to maintain her fitness. Hiranandani has urged authorities to not only remove encroachments but also declare the stretch a strict ‘no-parking’ zone to ensure pedestrian safety.
