Human resources development minister Smriti Irani’s office on Monday denied that her convoy was involved in an accident on the Yamuna Expressway in which a biker had been killed.
Human resources development minister Smriti Irani’s office on Monday denied that her convoy was involved in an accident on the Yamuna Expressway in which a biker had been killed. The minister’s office said in a statement that a vehicle mentioned in media reports about having hit a motorcycle had nothing to do with Ms Irani’s cavalcade and that she had directed Mathura’s SSP to arrange for an ambulance immediately so that the injured could be given medical treatment swiftly.
“It is clarified private vehicle Honda City DL3CBA5315, which allegedly hit the biker, who later died, has nothing to do with the HRD minister’s cavalcade as being run in a section of the media. Rather, the minister directed SSP Mathura to arrange an ambulance immediately so that the injured could be given medical treatment at the earliest,” the HRD ministry spokesperson said.
The police also came to Ms Irani’s rescue and claimed her cavalcade had nothing to with the accident that took place in Agra. The police claimed Ms Irani’s cavalcade reached the spot seven minutes after the mishap, in which a doctor was killed and two others severely injured. “Her convoy crashed into vehicles which were already piled up on the Yamuna Expressway due to that accident,” SSP Rakesh Yadav said.
Ms Irani’s convoy was caught in a car pileup after the accident on the Yamuna Expressway Saturday. But Ms Irani, who was on her way to Delhi, escaped unhurt.
Earlier, Sandali Nagar, the daughter of the victim who died in the mishap, told PTI they were on a motorcycle that was hit by a vehicle from behind which was part of Ms Irani’s convoy. “I did ask her for help but she completely refused to help us and said she could help us afterward. Smriti Irani could have helped us. Had she helped (us), probably our father would not have died,” she said.
Sandali’s brother Abhishek also made similar remarks, saying his father Dr Ramesh Nagar was lying dead and the injured children were pleading for help. He said the convoy of Smriti Irani was on its way from Vrindavan to Delhi.
“My sister, who was present at the spot, told me they (the minister and her entourage) did come out and see but instead of helping, they got back in the car and left. On humanitarian grounds she could have helped us and saved our father,” he told PTI.
In a series of tweets after the accident, the HRD minister had earlier thanked people for their concern about her well-being. “Tried to help the injured who were lying on the road for quite some time and ensured they reach a hospital. Pray for their safety,” she said. Ms Irani said she also ensured the people injured in the accident were taken to a hospital and thanked others for helping out. An FIR has also been registered over this accident.
