NALASOPARA: A 16-year-old boy allegedly driving a car with a liquor consignment ran over two women pedestrians in Nalasopara (East) on Wednesday evening, killing one and seriously injuring the other. Tulinj police have arrested and booked the minor, the vehicle’s owner Rajesh Shah and registered driver Mahesh Naik.The deceased, Shreya Misal (34), and injured Pragati More (36), both residents of Nagindas Pada in Nalasopara (East), worked as domestic help. The two had gone to Vasai for work on Wednesday and were returning home in the evening. After getting off at Nalasopara railway station around 4.30pm, they were walking home when a grey Maruti Eeco, allegedly reversing, hit them near Datt Nagar.Locals rushed both women to Rakiya Hospital, Nagindas Pada. Misal suffered serious injuries to her head, back, waist and knee. She succumbed to her injuries around 9.45pm while undergoing treatment. More also sustained serious injuries and underwent surgery on her hand on Thursday. According to Tulinj police senior inspector Vijay Jadhav, the 16-year-old accused worked as a cleaner in the vehicle and was reversing it while the driver was standing outside a shop when the accident occurred.Police clarified that the minor was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Jadhav said the liquor found in the vehicle had been legally purchased from a wine shop. However, police are investigating where the liquor was being taken and for what purpose. The boy’s father was also called to the police station and his statement was recorded. Misal’s husband, Shrikant, alleged that illegal transportation of liquor in private vehicles and driving by minors were common in Vasai-Virar. “My wife lost her life because of this. Police inaction is responsible for what happened,” he alleged. Misal leaves behind two children.A large crowd gathered outside Tulinj police station on Wednesday night, while more locals assembled there on Thursday morning, demanding strict action against those responsible.Misal’s brother Vivek Surve alleged that police initially hesitated to register a case against the accused. “Instead of cooperating with us, the police were trying to protect the driver and the vehicle owner,” he alleged.Rahul More, brother of injured Pragati, said his sister has a daughter. “She survived, but she has suffered serious injuries,” he said.In booking the accused, Tulinj police applied relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act.
