Smriti Irani says she helped accident victim; family refutes claim

Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani was on Monday in a spot when the children of a doctor killed in an accident on the Yamuna Expressway on Saturday night contradicted her claim that she had tried to help the injured and ensure they reached hospital.

On Saturday night, Irani escaped with minor injuries after a vehicle in her cavalcade allegedly hit a motor cycle killing one Dr Ramesh Nagar and injuring his daughter Sandali and nephew Pankaj.

However, the minister’s office said in a statement on Monday that a vehicle mentioned in the media reports of having hit the motorcycle had nothing to do with Irani’s cavalcade and that she had directed Senior Superintendent of Police, Mathura, to arrange an ambulance immediately so that injured could be given medical treatment at the earliest.

In a series of tweets immediately after the accident, Irani had said, “For all enquiring re my accident -- I’m fine. Thank you for the concern and wishes.”

“There was a pile-up of vehicles due to an accident on the expressway. Unfortunately the police vehicle before mine and my car also crashed.

“Tried to help the injured who were lying on the road for quite sometime and ensured they reach a hospital. Pray for their safety,” she said in another tweet.

“Good Samaritan Manoj Chopra and his wife also helped injured citizens. God bless them for their empathy and kindness,” she added.

However, Sandali on Monday told the media that they were on a motorcycle, which was hit by a vehicle from behind and that belonged to Irani.

“I did ask her for help but she completely refused to help us and said she could help us afterward.  Smriti Irani could have helped us.  Had she helped (us), probably our father would not have died,” she said.

Sandali’s brother Abhishek also made similar remarks saying his father was lying dead and the injured children were pleading for help.  He said the convoy of Smriti irani was on its way from Vrindavan to Delhi.

“My sister, who was present on the spot, told me that they (minister and her entourage) did come out and see but instead of helping, they got back in the car and left.  On humanitarian grounds she could have helped us and saved our father,” he said.

Reports from Agra said that Abhishek had filed an FIR with the police alleging that Irani ignored the victims and moved away.  It was later that the police took the children to hospital.

“A speeding car with registration (DL3C BA 5315), which was part of the cavalcade of HRD Minister Smriti Irani, hit a motorbike from behind on which Dr Ramesh Nagar and two children were going for a wedding party,” the FIR reportedly said.

Irani’s office issued a statement on Monday in which it said that in  sections of media a news story was being run regarding an accident that happened on Yamuna Expressway on late night of March 5, in  which it has been mentioned that vehicle with registration number (DL 3C BA 5315 - Honda city) has allegedly hit a biker.

 “It is clarified hereunder that this vehicle has nothing to do with HRD minister’s cavalcade, while it is to be noted that Union HRD Minister Smriti Zubin Irani, had directed SSP, Mathura, to arrange ambulance immediately so that injured could be given medical treatment at the earliest,” it said.