- Rajya Sabha member Lingamaneni Ramesh defended his son in a fatal Hyderabad crash case
- The 21-year-old driver reported the accident and took the victim to the hospital immediately
- The victim, Bharathi Mukhi, died after being hit by the car near her workplace in Madhapur
Rajya Sabha member Lingamaneni Ramesh has defended his son, who has been booked for causing the death of a 26-year-old woman in a road accident in Hyderabad, saying the 21-year-old took the victim to hospital without delay, reported the crash to the police himself, and is cooperating fully with the investigation.
"It is deeply unfortunate and heartbreaking that the road accident which occurred in Hyderabad on August 16, and which led to the death of the young woman," the Jana Sena Party MP from Andhra Pradesh said. "We will extend every possible support to the bereaved family," he added.
The MP asked that the case not be judged before the investigation concludes. "I request you all not to speculate or prejudge the circumstances," he said.
He acknowledged that his son was driving the Aston Martin car at the time of the crash. "Immediately after the accident, my son shifted the young woman to the hospital without any delay. He subsequently reported the accident to the police authorities and provided all the necessary details," Ramesh said.
He added that his son's medical reports "returned negative", apparently saying there was no sign of intoxication.
"A case was duly registered, and three separate medical tests were conducted on my son, which returned negative. The investigation is presently underway, and my son is fully cooperating with the authorities."
Rejecting the charge that the family was using its position to shield the accused, the MP said, "Nothing is being concealed in this matter, nor have we attempted to avoid the legal process in any way. We have the utmost respect for the law."
What Happened That Afternoon
Bharathi Mukhi, 26, who worked at the Lifestyle clothing store at Inorbit Mall, died after she was hit by the Aston Martin while crossing the road near her workplace in Madhapur on August 16. The Cyberabad police identified Lingamaneni Sanjush as the driver.
Sanjush has not been arrested. Assistant Commissioner of Police Ch Sridhar said a notice had been served on the accused, and that no arrest had been made as the offence is bailable and carries a maximum punishment of less than seven years.
The case has been registered under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with causing death by a rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide.
According to the FIR, Bharathi and her colleague Pooja Ashok Alone, 26, had gone towards the ITC Kohenur area around 3 pm on Sunday for lunch. As they returned to work and Bharathi attempted to cross the road in front of the mall, she was hit by the car (TG-09-G-0666). The FIR states the car was being driven at high speed and in a rash and negligent manner.
Bharathi suffered severe head injuries and bled heavily. Police said she was taken to Apollo Hospital in Jubilee Hills in the same car and declared dead there. Pooja then informed the store manager, Ashwin Kumar, who called the police.
Sanjush's father is a businessman and an MP from Andhra Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena Party.
