A 26-year-old senior official attached to the Karnataka High Court died on Saturday after a car driven by his friend crashed into a roadside temple at Bhoma in Ponda, Goa. The victim, Triloknatha Hiremath, from Hospet, died on the spot, while four others were trapped inside the vehicle and had to be rescued after emergency personnel cut open the car.
Details of the Accident
The group of five — Basalingappa, an assistant registrar of the high court and a resident of Gulbarga; Hiremath; Shivkumar and Sachin Alandkar, both court secretaries; and Mounesh M, another high court official — were on a weekend trip to Goa. After halting in Ponda on Friday night, they were travelling towards Panaji when the accident occurred.
Police said Basalingappa failed to negotiate a curve on a narrow stretch of road at Bhoma and rammed the vehicle into the roadside shrine of Sati Devi. The impact was severe, and Hiremath, who was seated in the middle of the rear seat, sustained fatal injuries. He was taken to the Betki Primary Health Centre, where he was declared “brought dead”.
Injuries and Treatment
The four injured occupants were admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim. Mardol police said two of them underwent surgery for fractures. Hiremath’s body has been preserved at the South Goa District Hospital (SGDH), Margao, where an autopsy is likely to be conducted on Sunday.
Legal Action
Based on a complaint filed by Vishant Vaman Kunkolienkar, a head constable attached to Mardol Police Station, an FIR has been registered against Basalingappa for allegedly driving in a rash and negligent manner, endangering human life, and failing to take proper care and precaution while driving. PSI Madhav Gaude of Mardol Police Station is conducting further investigation.
