Navi Mumbai: A 37-year-old man working as a seafarer in the Merchant Navy sustained severe injuries early Thursday morning when his sports bike collided with a cab at the junction of Moraj Circle in Sanpada. The incident occurred around 3:20 am while the biker was racing on Palm Beach Road with his friends. The impact left both the sports bike and the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire cab badly mangled. The cab driver, Deepak Singh, escaped with minor bruises.
Police Action and FIR
Acting on a complaint filed by the cab driver Deepak Singh, 43, a resident of Palghar, the Sanpada police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused biker, identified as Ali Raja Zabir Kalfe. He was booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicle Act for reckless or negligent riding on public roads that endangers human life or safety, as well as for mischief, which involves intentionally or knowingly causing damage or loss to public or private property.
Sequence of Events
According to API Kamlakar Sontakke of Sanpada police station, the complainant cab driver Singh had dropped a passenger at Nerul and was heading towards Sanpada to fill CNG at a fuel station opposite the Sanpada police station. After refueling, he planned to return to his home in Palghar. While taking a right turn at Moraj Circle on Palm Beach Road, the speeding biker, who was heading towards Nerul, crashed into the cab.
The biker Kalfe was not fatally injured, thanks to his high-quality helmet. However, his sports bike was severely damaged due to the impact. The injured biker was admitted to Dr. DY Patil Hospital in Nerul, where doctors have stated that his condition is stable.
Concerns Over Racing on Palm Beach Road
Senior Inspector Devidas Kathale of Sanpada police station expressed concern over the persistent issue of sports bike racing on Palm Beach Road during the early morning hours. He noted that these races typically occur when traffic signals are switched off and vehicular movement is minimal. Despite legal actions taken by the traffic department, the racing activities continue unabated, as traffic police are off duty during those hours.
The incident highlights the dangers of reckless driving and the need for stricter enforcement to prevent such accidents. The police have urged citizens to report any such activities and reminded all drivers to adhere to traffic rules for their safety and that of others.
