Team Herald
PONDA: Seeking justice for 34-year-old Prashant Pundalik Tari, who was killed in an accident at Karay, Shiroda, the locals along with family and relatives of the victim on Thursday marched to the Ponda Police Station demanding that the accident case against Shiroda ZP member Jaydeep Shirodkar be registered as murder.
The locals met PI Suraj Halarnkar and submitted a memorandum demanding that the fatal accident case against the ZP member be as registered as murder under Section 302 of IPC.
It may be recalled that on May 22 at 9.30 pm, Prashant from Shiroda, who was sitting on his parked scooter along the roadside at Karay Shiroda was hit by an unknown vehicle and the driver involved in the accident immediately fled. Prashant Tari, who received serious injuries died. Later, the police registered a case of hit-and-run, rash and negligent driving and not providing medical aid to the victim under Section 279 and 304 A of IPC against the unknown driver.
Two days later, police seized the vehicle involved in the fatal accident and registered an offence against Shiroda ZP Jaydeep Shirodkar, who was arrested and later released on bail.
Prashant’s aunt Sudha Naik alleged that despite Jaydeep being a ZP member and people’s representative fled the spot after accident. “It was Jaydeep’s duty to provide medical aid to the victim. She questioned if he was not guilty then why did he flee? He left the victim to die. So we demand that the case be registered as murder,” she demanded.
Sanket Bandari and other locals claimed to have some evidence and witnesses to prove it to be a murder case and added that they can produce the same if police register the case as murder.
PI Suraj Halarnkar said, “Prima facie it appeared to be accident case and we registered a case of hit and run, rash and negligent driving and for not providing medical aid against the accused as per law. However, if locals claim that there is evidence, we will conduct further investigation into the matter. At present the case is registered as accident case under Motor Vehicle Act.”
Refuting the allegations, Jaydeep said, “There was no enmity or any financial deals with the victim. I have given a detailed statement to the police. The offence registered against me by police is under Motor Vehicle Act.” It is learnt that the vehicle involved in the accident is registered in the name of Jaydeep’s mother.
