Mumbai Accident: 2-Year-Old Girl Killed, Brother Injured After Speeding Truck Runs Over Children Near Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal

Mumbai: Tragedy struck early Saturday morning near the entrance gate of the famous Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh Mandal when a speeding truck ran over two children sleeping on the roadside pavement. The accident claimed the life of a two-year-old girl, Chanda Vajandar, while her 11-year-old brother, Shailu Vajandar, was left critically injured. Kalachowki police are now hunting for the absconding truck driver with the help of CCTV footage.

The Lalbaugcha Raja idol is among the most revered Ganesh idols in Mumbai, drawing lakhs of devotees every year. On Saturday, as the city prepared for the grand visarjan (immersion) of Lord Ganesha, chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” filled the air. Amidst the festive chaos, the horrific accident unfolded right at the entrance gate.

Children Run Over While Sleeping on Pavement

According to Kalachowki police, the complainant, Suman Vajandar, a rag picker, had made her son and daughter sleep on the roadside near the main entrance on Friday night before leaving to collect rags. Around 4 a.m. on Saturday, an unidentified speeding truck rammed into the children.

The victims were identified as Chanda Vajandar (2), who succumbed to her injuries, and Shailu Vajandar (11), who sustained serious injuries. Locals rushed them to KEM Hospital, where doctors declared Chanda dead. Shailu is undergoing treatment in the ICU and is said to be in stable condition.

Driver Absconding, Police Scan CCTV

The accident occurred despite heavy police deployment in the area due to the immersion crowd. After the crash, the truck driver fled the scene. Police have registered a case at Kalachowki Police Station and assured that the culprit will be traced soon.

“We are scanning CCTV footage and efforts are underway to nab the driver,” officials said.

The incident has sparked outrage among locals, who have questioned how such a tragedy occurred in a heavily guarded and crowded zone on one of Mumbai’s busiest festival days.