Maha police to file case of ‘negligence’ in pothole deaths

MUMBAI: After rising potholerelated deaths, police in Maharashtra are mulling action against the state government's road development corporation for causing "death due to negligence".

Police issued a notice to the executive engineer of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) in suburban Bandra here, after a pothole-related death in Thane district last week, an official told PTI.

The notice says action will be initiated under section 304A (causing death by rash and negligent act) of the Indian Penal Code in case of "serious accidents" due to potholes.

On July 10, Hasim Shaikh (45) from Kalyan died in Kongaon, Bhiwandi, after a truck crashed into the auto he was in due to a pothole. Four others were injured.

Pothole-riddled roads have led to five accidental deaths in Thane since last month.

The notice, issued by the Thane police a day after the Bhiwandi accident, also warns the MSRDC official of action under section 188 (disobedience of order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC.

"A law and order situation arose and public peace was disrupted as the death (in Bhiwandi) happened due to pothole," the notice said. "There is a great public unrest against you (MSRDC) among the villagers," it added.