Hit-and-run victim’s kin wins court battle after pursuing the case with vengeance
MUMBAI: After twenty-six years of treacherous litigation and police station rounds, Anand Joshi has won only half the battle. But that’s perhaps enough to put his father’s soul at peace.
Joshi’s father Suresh was allegedly killed in a hit-and-run case involving yesteryear’s Bollywood villain KN Singh’s son Vibhushan.
On May 13, the Motor Accident Claim Tribunal, Fort, ordered that the accused pay up Rs4.5 lakh to Joshi as compensation. “This restores my faith in judiciary. Eventually, justice will come knocking on your doors. One should never give up,” said Joshi, with a triumphant smile.
However, for Joshi, the task is still unfinished. He had vowed that he would see to it that the accused was not let off the hook. “When I met him (Vibhushan Singh), he came across an arrogant man. He seemed to harbour the impression that he could buy anything with money and he was above law. I made up my mind to nail him at all cost,” said Joshi, showing a sheaf of papers relating to the case.
On August 19, 1980, Suresh was run over by Vibhushan’s ambassador car outside Juna Khar masjid on SV Road. Vibhushan fled and absconded for 10 days. Two constables of the Bandra police, witness to the accident, managed to nab him in Panchgani.
The incident, however, changed the lives of the Joshi family. “He was the only earning member in the family. We have come a long way after the incident (in 1980), but the ghost of the incident comes back to haunt,” said the 45-year- old yoga expert.
According to Joshi, perseverance pays. “One should always believe in the cause. More important is not to give up mid way. Justice will come finally,” he said.
The incident has brought him to terms with red-tapism and corruption.
“The extent of manipulation possible is surprising. At every level, there are obstacles. One should learn to overcome them” concludes Joshi. Joshi now wants to open a trust which will help the lower-middle class in similar situations.
“Not only are the lawyer’s fees huge, the victim’s kin too are at a loss to act. I want to guide them,” he says.
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