Rajkot Man Dies After Rickshaw Hit, Driver Faces Charges Under New Law
In a tragic incident in Rajkot, a 66-year-old man lost his life after being struck by a rickshaw while crossing a road near Trikon Baug on Thursday. The A Division police have registered a case following the fatal accident, which has highlighted ongoing concerns about road safety in the area.
Details of the Fatal Accident
The deceased has been identified as Dilip Mehta, a resident of Gayatri Nagar Main Road in the Hasanwadi area of Rajkot. According to police reports, the incident occurred around 4 PM on Thursday when Mehta was crossing the road near the bus station at Trikon Baug. He was on his way to the Jubilee Vegetable Market at the time.
The rickshaw, driven by Mukesh Jethwa, struck Mehta, leaving him with serious injuries. Bystanders and emergency responders rushed the victim to Civil Hospital for immediate medical attention. Despite efforts by doctors, Mehta was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Legal Action and Complaint Filed
Following the incident, Dilip Mehta's son, Pratik Mehta, lodged a formal complaint with the A Division police against the rickshaw driver. The complaint has been registered under specific sections of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
The charges filed include:
- Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Applicable sections of the Motor Vehicles Act
This case represents one of the early applications of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in road accident scenarios, marking a significant development in legal proceedings for such incidents.
Community Impact and Safety Concerns
The accident has sent shockwaves through the local community in Rajkot, particularly in the Hasanwadi and Trikon Baug areas. Residents have expressed concerns about pedestrian safety near busy intersections and bus stations, where similar incidents have been reported in the past.
Local authorities are investigating the exact circumstances that led to the fatal collision. Preliminary reports suggest that both pedestrian and driver factors may have contributed to the tragedy, though the investigation remains ongoing.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety measures and vigilance by both pedestrians and drivers, especially in crowded urban areas with heavy traffic flow.
