Navi Mumbai: A tragic accident on the Mumbai-Goa highway near Kharpada in Raigad district claimed the lives of a 12-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man in the early hours of Sunday. The victims, identified as Yash Ballal and Aaditya Ballal, were returning home to Vikhroli from Ratnagiri on a two-wheeler when a dumper allegedly struck them and ran over them.
Driver Flees, Manhunt Launched
Police have filed an FIR against the dumper driver, Gautam Mahato, a resident of Jharkhand, who fled the scene immediately after the accident. Relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act have been invoked. A manhunt is currently underway to apprehend the absconding driver.
Locals Block Highway in Protest
In response to the deaths, local residents blocked the Mumbai-Goa highway for over an hour, causing a traffic pile-up stretching several kilometers towards Goa. The protesters alleged that dumpers are frequently used to illegally transport massive quantities of minor minerals at night. They also expressed suspicion that the driver was under the influence of alcohol, though police have not confirmed this.
Police personnel persuaded the protesters to disperse, and traffic movement was eventually restored. The incident has reignited concerns about road safety and illegal mining activities in the region.
