Mumbai: Mumbai North Central District Forum (MNCDF) co-convener Urich Kamath, 40, filed a complaint against a BEST driver for allegedly driving rashly and endangering public safety. Later, the BEST driver allegedly openly threatened the MNCDF member at the police station. The Mahim police registered an FIR against BEST driver Sameer Shaikh, 30, for alleged rash driving on February 19.
According to the FIR, the complainant, Urich Kamath, who resides in Mahim West and works with an event management company, is also the co-convener of the Mumbai North Central District Forum (MNCDF), a social organisation that addresses civic issues and grievances.
On Wednesday, at around 12:50 pm, Kamath was travelling from Matunga station to Mahim West in his car. Upon reaching Shobh Hotel Junction in Mahim West, the east-west signal was on, and Kamath was moving from east to west when a BEST bus (MH01 EN 7067) broke the south-north signal, which was off, and drove recklessly. Kamath chased the bus and confronted the driver near Victoria School, Mahim West, asking why he had broken the signal. The driver responded that he would explain to the police. The conductor also claimed that the driver had not broken the signal.
Kamath dialled 100 number and the police arrived at the scene and questioned the driver, who identified himself as Sameer Shaikh, a resident of Kurla East. Since there were around 20 passengers on the bus, police allowed it to proceed but later Kamath filed a complaint at Mahim police station.
The police registered the case under Sections 281 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya NyayaSanhita, along with Sections 177 (violating any provision of the Act or any rule) and 184 (dangerous driving) of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Kamath stated, “The BEST bus driver collided with me and two other vehicles, one bike and another four-wheeler. I dialled 100, and the police arrived at the scene. At the police station, the bus driver called several individuals to try and influence the police and talked rudely, but they still registered the case. Across the city, BEST bus drivers often ignore rules, signals, and fail to wear seat belts.”
Advocate Trivankumar Karnani, Founder of the MNCDF Citizen Welfare Forum, said, “This incident underscores the critical importance of road safety and the need for stringent measures against those who endanger public lives. We will be writing to the BEST authorities to suspend the driver immediately to ensure the safety of all citizens. We remain committed to promoting road safety and protecting citizens' rights. We will not tolerate any threats or reckless behaviour that compromises public safety. Our gratitude goes to the Mumbai Police for their prompt response, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served.”
