No evidence of foul play in CM convoy mishap

The mishap involving the convoy of Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Saturday night was a clear case of a traffic accident, with no evidence of foul play, and therefore the police have not registered any FIR on the incident.

According to the Dindoshi police, which initiated a probe into the incident, there were five vehicles in the convoy that was headed to north Mumbai over the Malad flyover on the Western Express Highway, when the accident occured. Two police constables travelling in the vehicles in the convoy were hurt and received treatment. Mr Chavan was unhurt. The incident happened at 8.10pm.

A report on the incident, prepared by the zonal deputy commissioner of police and submitted to the additional commissioner, has concluded that there was no evidence of foul play and hence the police have not registered a first information report (FIR) in the matter.

The driver in an Innova car that was ahead of the convoy applied the brakes, leading to an Ertiga following behind to also stop suddenly. In an instant, the pilot vehicle of the convoy hit the Ertiga. "After the Ertiga braked, the convoy's pilot, a Maruti Gypsy, also applied brakes but rammed into the Ertiga from the rear. Subsequently, the bullet-proof Tata Safari in which the chief minister was seated also hit the Gypsy," said UN Rajput, sub-inspector, Dindoshi police station.

The chief minister, Rajput said, was not hurt and he proceeded in a standby vehicle to his engagement.