A 20-year-old ITI student, Raghuveer Prahlad Kumbhar, saved his 15-year-old friend, Gauri Satelkar, after a speeding police jeep hit them at Vile Parle West on Sunday night. Moments before the impact, Raghuveer pushed Gauri aside, taking the full force of the collision himself. The jeep was allegedly driven by a constable who, according to the Kumbhar family, appeared drunk.
The constable told Raghuveer he would follow him to the hospital, but immediately fled. The Vile Parle police have registered an FIR against him and begun an investigation. Raghuveer, who lives with his parents in Sati Prasad Society opposite D-Mart in Andheri West, suffered injuries to his chest, leg and hand. He and his family told mid-day they had filmed the constable, claiming he was heavily intoxicated.
Screengrab from a video showing the constable seated inside the police jeep
Police said the incident occurred around 12.35 am when Raghuveer and his neighbours, Gauri and Harsh Patel, were returning home after a late-night walk along Sahaji Raje Road. “I saw a speeding police jeep coming straight at us. I pushed Gauri aside, but the vehicle hit me,” Raghuveer said. “I have injuries on my chest, leg, hand and thighs. The pain is severe, but thankfully nothing is fractured.”
His younger brother Bipin rushed to the spot, took him to the hospital and recorded a video of the constable. “He couldn’t even step out of the vehicle,” Raghuveer said. “He did not help me and then fled.” Raghuveer was treated at CritiCare Asia Hospital and discharged later. “I can’t sleep or sit properly. The constable should be punished,” he said.
Police said an FIR has been registered against the constable. A medical test showed he was not drunk, though blood test results are awaited. Senior Inspector Gabaji Chimate said the case had been filed under Sections 134(A), 134(B), 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act and 125(A) and 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
