Nagpur witnessed a terrifying incident on Saturday afternoon in the Venkatesh Nagar locality when a routine task of parking a car turned catastrophic. A 17-year-old boy, employed at a local garage, was asked by his employer to park a car, as detailed by the local police. Unfortunately, the minor lost control of the vehicle, causing a series of unfortunate events that left five individuals injured, two of them critically.
According to an official from the Nandanvan police station, the teenager was not familiar with the nuances of driving, which resulted in the tragic accident. The car, which belongs to a local political leader whose identity remains concealed by the police, also lacked insurance. This crucial detail compounds the severity of the incident, as it has significant legal and financial implications for both the car owner and the victims.
“The boy confused the clutch with the accelerator,” said the police official. This mistake caused the vehicle to lurch forward suddenly, colliding with multiple parked vehicles before veering into a group of fruit-and-vegetable vendors and bystanders. The unfortunate victims who were caught in this chaotic turn of events are identified as Mahendra Badridas Aggarwal (55), Vandana Aggarwal (54), Basanti Netam (40), Golu Gupta (23), and Vikram Bhosale (27). They are currently receiving medical treatment in a local hospital.
The case has been registered for rash driving under both the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act. The minor, held responsible for the accident, has been detained as investigations continue. Questions are now being raised about the garage’s owner who entrusted such a responsibility to a minor, an act that undeniably contravenes legal norms.
Eyewitness accounts provide a grim picture of the incident. Rakesh Sharma, a nearby shopkeeper, described it as “an absolute nightmare.” “Everything happened so quickly. One moment the boy was trying to park, and the next, there was chaos everywhere,” he said. Another local resident, Suresh Pawar, emphasized the need for stricter regulations around the employment and duties given to minors, “This accident could have been easily avoided.
. Minors should not be allowed to handle such tasks, especially in congested areas.”
Legal experts highlight the multi-faceted nature of this incident. Advocate Priya Deshmukh, a legal expert specializing in motor vehicle laws, explains, “This incident brings into sharp focus the lapses in legal enforcement and the responsibilities of car owners. The absence of insurance further complicates the matter. The victims will find it challenging to claim compensation for their injuries and damage to property.” She also emphasized that the garage owner could face legal repercussions for assigning such a task to a minor, potentially facing charges of negligence.
The injured victims currently battles for their recovery in the hospital, surrounded by their worried families. Mahendra Badridas Aggarwal, one of the critically injured, is reported to be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). His brother, Sanjay Aggarwal, speaks of the emotional and financial strain this incident has put on their family. “We hope that justice will be served, and appropriate compensations are provided to help us get through this tough time,” he said with a heavy heart.
Meanwhile, the local police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. They are examining questions about the political leader’s car’s uninsured status, why a minor was asked to drive, and what safety protocols, if any, were in place at the garage.
This incident has spurred civic bodies into action. Local activists demand stricter enforcement of laws prohibiting minors from undertaking such responsibilities. There are also calls for more stringent checks on vehicle insurance and greater accountability of vehicle owners to ensure the safety of the public.
In the aftermath of this incident, the scent of fruits and vegetables strewn across the street mingles with the sounds of anguished families and community members rallying for justice and change. As the city of Nagpur comes to terms with this unfortunate event, it serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between responsibility and negligence, and the severe consequences that can arise when this balance is ignored.
While the legal processes will take their course over the coming weeks and months, the residents of Venkatesh Nagar will never forget the day a simple parking attempt turned their neighborhood into a scene of havoc and distress.
