A tragic incident shook the town of Kamothe as a 41-year-old snack shop owner, his wife, and their 10-year-old son lost their lives in a devastating collision with a speeding tanker truck on the old Mumbai-Pune highway. Shobhit Satish Saluja, his wife Shailaja Shobhit Saluja, and their young son Ayaan were on their way back home from Khopoli when the unimaginable tragedy struck late on a Friday night.
The Saluja family’s evening ride turned into a nightmare when a 14-wheel tanker struck their scooter, causing them to lose balance and fall onto the road. The tanker, unable to stop in time, tragically ran over the family, resulting in fatal injuries. The scene of the accident, near Golden Night Bar in Kon village, painted a grim picture of the sudden loss that befell the unsuspecting family.
As the news spread through the community, shock and grief enveloped the residents of Kamothe. The Saluja family was well-known and loved in the area, making their untimely demise even more heart-wrenching for those who knew them. The sense of loss and devastation rippled through the neighborhood, leaving a somber atmosphere in its wake.
Details of the Tragic Incident
According to the Panvel Taluka police, the fatal accident occurred around 11 pm, just an hour after the Saluja family had embarked on their journey back home. The tanker driver, identified as Gahinath Kundalik Garje, allegedly attempted to overtake a container truck when his vehicle collided with the scooter carrying the Saluja family. The impact of the collision caused the family to be thrown off their scooter and subsequently crushed under the tanker’s rear wheels.
Senior Inspector Gajanan Ghadge recounted the harrowing sequence of events, stating that the mother and son lost their lives instantly at the scene of the accident, while Shobhit Saluja succumbed to his injuries upon arrival at MGM Hospital. The sudden and tragic loss of three lives sent shockwaves through the community, prompting an outpouring of condolences and support for the grieving relatives.
Justice and Accountability
In the aftermath of the accident, the authorities swiftly took action to apprehend the tanker driver, who had fled the scene. Gahinath Kundalik Garje was located and arrested by the Panvel Taluka police, ensuring that he would be held accountable for his role in the tragic incident. A case has been registered against Garje under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act, seeking justice for the lives lost due to his reckless actions.
The bodies of the deceased were handed over to their relatives from Surat, marking the beginning of a painful process of mourning and coming to terms with the irreplaceable loss suffered by the Saluja family and their loved ones. The entire community rallied together in support of the grieving relatives, offering solace and assistance in their time of need.
As the sun set on Kamothe that fateful night, the tragic echoes of the accident lingered in the hearts and minds of all who heard about the untimely loss of the Saluja family. The road ahead for their loved ones would be fraught with sorrow and challenges, as they navigated the aftermath of the devastating incident that had taken away their cherished family members.
