Kanpur Woman Gets Bail After Thar Kills LIC Agent On Diwali, Victim’s Son Questions Justice

A 24-year-old woman arrested for allegedly running over and killing a 55-year-old Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) agent with her Mahindra Thar in Kanpur was granted bail on Diwali, triggering fresh anger from the victim's family.

The accident took place on November 7, a day before Diwali, when Santosh Singh Chauhan was returning home on his scooter after buying a saree for his wife. The speeding SUV, allegedly driven by Geeta Sachan, rammed into his scooter with such force that he died at the spot.

According to the police, the impact dragged Santosh and his scooter several metres. The Thar then broke through the boundary wall of a residential property before crashing into a garden.

Victim's Son Questions Bail

Geeta was arrested following protests by Santosh's family. However, she was granted bail at the police station on Diwali and subsequently released.

The development left the victim's family questioning the justice system. Santosh's son, Rahul Chauhan, said the accused was able to celebrate Diwali with her family while his household was mourning the loss.

"What kind of justice is this? The woman who killed my father and brought darkness into our home just before Diwali is celebrating the festival with her family after being released. What about the darkness in our house?" Rahul said.

Thar Occupants Allegedly Fled After Accident

Eyewitnesses said Geeta was travelling in the SUV with her younger sister and a man when the accident occurred. According to a report by The Times of India, Geeta is studying in Italy and had returned to India for Diwali.

After the crash, the occupants allegedly abandoned the damaged Thar and left in another car that arrived at the spot shortly afterwards.

A video of the incident circulated on social media, purportedly showing Geeta stepping out of the SUV and screaming before leaving in the other vehicle. Santosh's body could be seen lying nearby.

The police initially registered a case against unidentified persons. Investigators later traced the vehicle to sand contractor Guddu Sachan and identified his daughter, Geeta, as the woman driving it.

Family Protested, Demanded Arrest

Santosh's family alleged that the police initially failed to register his identity despite relatives identifying him after the accident.

His son Rahul staged a protest and refused to allow the post-mortem proceedings to conclude until the accused was arrested. Geeta was subsequently taken into custody, after which the family agreed to take Santosh's body for the last rites.

Her release on bail on Diwali, however, led to renewed questions from the family.

Son Seeks Probe Into Driving Licence

Rahul, who works as a manager at a company in Lucknow, also questioned whether Geeta had a valid driving licence.

He said the police should investigate whether she was authorised to drive and examine her father's role if she had been allowed to operate the vehicle without a licence.

"If she did not have a driving licence, her father should also be questioned. How could he allow his daughter to drive the vehicle?" Rahul asked.

Police Explain Why She Was Granted Bail

Responding to the family's concerns, ACP Dilip Singh said Geeta had been arrested but was granted bail at the police station because the offence carried a punishment of less than seven years.

He said other aspects of the case were still being investigated. The family could submit any additional complaints in writing, which would be included in the probe, the officer added.

The police have seized the Mahindra Thar involved in the accident.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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