In yet another instance of out-of-control drivers endangering lives on the city’s roads, a BMC contractor failed to handle the acceleration of the Mercedes Benz supercar he was driving and hit five persons sleeping on a pavement on Mohammad Ali Road on Friday, injuring them. The victims included a four-year-old boy.
The police on Friday arrested Dongri-based businessman Haji Amin Yusuf Khan, 46, for allegedly injuring five persons after he lost control of his car. According to the Pydhonie police, the incident occurred around 12:30 am at the Bhendi Bazaar junction and the accused, Haji Amin Yusuf Khan, 46, was trying his hand at driving his friend’s car, a top-end model said to have sold for over Rs 2 crore in India by the German automaker.
Senior Police Inspector Sunil Kavlekar with Pydhonie police station said, “Khan’s friend told him to be careful as the car picks up speed very quickly. Instead of slowing down, Khan accelerated saying he wanted to test the car’s speed. The car shot ahead and hit five people sleeping on the pavement.”
Khan allegedly left the vehicle and fled the scene, even as eyewitnesses informed the police about the incident. When a team from Pydhonie police station reached the spot to make inquiries, Khan, who is well-known in the area, was identified by eyewitnesses and a manhunt was launched to apprehend him.
Mr Kavlekar said, “The injured were taken to JJ Hospital. Meanwhile, Khan reached the hospital a short while later to get himself checked. Our team had received information during inquiries that he was on his way to the hospital and nabbed him there. He was subjected to medical tests and was not found to be drunk at the time of the incident. He has been charged with causing injury due to rash and negligent driving under the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act.”
Khan has a transport business and has been contracted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to provide Clean Up vehicles, he added.
The injured have been identified as Ayesha Sheikh, 40, Munira Sheikh, 25, Alisha Sheikh, 40, Rashida Sheikh, 25, and Rahul Shaikh, 4. Police said Ayesha has sustained a fracture to her shoulder, while the others suffered minor injuries. They were all discharged from the hospital after being treated.
Khan was produced in a metropolitan magistrate’s court on Friday and released on bail. Officials have found that he has a criminal record, with several cases of assault registered against him with the Dongri police.
