3 people including a child injured after a rashly driven car crashed into Food Stalls (thela) at Sukhadia Circle (Bombay Chowpatty area) at around 9:30 pm today.

As per the first hand incident report given to UT by Police Officer Niranjan Alaha of the Ambatamata Police station, the car, a dark grey colored Maruti Alto, allegedly being driven by Mohammad Shahrukh, resident of the Mukherjee Chowk area hurtled into roadside food stalls at the Sukhadia Circle inner road (adjacent to Big Bazaar).

The police arrived at the spot immediately and took control of the situation, failing which, the incident could have resulted in further injuries as the angry mob consisting of stall owners and bystanders threw stones at the car.

It is reported that the driver of the car fledged from the scene of the accident, leaving his co-passenger behind. On enquiring, it was found that the driver was a learner and not the car owner.

Although no one was seriously injured, one of the stall owners, Bheru Lahu Sahu, s/o Late Mangilal Sahu, resident of Sutharwada area was injured substantially and was rushed to the General Hospital as a 108 was called to the spot immediately by the police.

A young lad of around 12 years, who was eating his meal at one of the stalls also suffered injuries on the face and head and was treated on the spot by the Ambulance personnel. Fortunately, there was no crowd of customers at these stalls due to the late hour and chilly evening.

The number plate on the car pinpointed that it belonged to the Vice President of the District Congress Minority Department, whose son, allegedly, was the other passenger in the car.

On asking the bystanders and the other stall owners in the area, UT was told that the car first banged into a Pav Bhaji stall, which overturned on the other three stalls and injured Bheru Lal. The other injured person was Sampat Lal Sahu, resident of Gariyawas.

UT was further informed that this is not the first time that such an incident of rash driving has occurred in the area. This gives us food (sic) for thought, as to how safe it is to allow vehicles within the Bombay Chowpatty area of Sukhadia Circle. This area could be made a vehicle free zone, as most of the customers stand on the road side and eat, while vehicles are rashly driven around.

Readers views are warranted.