Cyrus Mistry accident case: FIR filed against Dr Anahita Pandole for rash driving, overspeeding

Mumbai: Two months after Tata Sons ex-chairman Cyrus Mistry and his friend Jehangir Pandole died in a car crash, the police on Saturday filed an FIR against the driving co-passenger and Mumbai's top gynecologist Dr. Anahita Pandole for rash driving and overspeeding.

On Wednesday this week, the Palghar police recorded the witness statement of Dr. Anahita’s husband, Darius Pandole, who was discharged from the hospital and termed fit for cooperation with the investigation.

Dr Anahita still in ICU

Talking to FPJ, Balasaheb Patil, Superintendent of Police, Palghar District had said on Wednesday, “As per his statement to us (police, he said while driving a heavy vehicle (truck) was right in front of their SUV. In an attempt to move past the vehicle, in certain sections, the three-lane highway merged into a two-lane road. Flustered with the sudden transition, and in order to not cause an accident, she rammed into the bridge wall, spanning a river (Surya River).”

A preliminary report by Mercedes-Benz (the car in the accident) experts had stated that the vehicle was at a speed of 100 kmph and barely seconds before the collision the driver had applied the brakes. The vehicle crashed into the wall at 89 kmph.

In the accident, both Anahita (55) and her husband (60) suffered serious injuries. While Darius is discharged, Dr. Anahita is still in ICU, receiving treatment.

"We are waiting for an approval from the doctor who is treating Dr. Anahita. Once she is discharged and termed fit to talk or interact, we will record her witness statement," said an official. As per the FIR, registered at Kasa Police station in Palghar, Dr. Pandole is booked under sections 304 (a) (causing death by negligence), 279 (rash driving), 337 (causing hurt by an act which endangers human life) among others of the Indian Penal Code, along with sections 184 (driving dangerously) and other relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.