Auto hits bike, driver abuses injured couple in Kolkata

KOLKATA: A biker and his wife were injured on Sukanta Setu on Thursday morning when an autorickshaw plying on the Sulekha-Ajoynagar-Mukundapur route rammed the two-wheeler. Locals claimed that the auto driver got off his vehicle and abused the couple for “coming in his way” before fleeing the spot.

The two victims — Subhas Mondal (35) and his wife Mary (30) — sustained serious injuries and were admitted to KPC Hospital where they were stated to be stable. The Survey Park police have lodged an FIR against the errant auto driver and assured the victims’ family of a thorough probe.

According to the police, the couple, residing at Solakpara in Garfa, used to travel to Jadavpur 8B bus stand on the bike every morning. Around 8.20am on Thursday, they took the Sukanta Setu from Santoshpur and the auto hit their bike near Rishi Aurobindo Balika Vidyapith. “I did not see the collision as I was waiting for a bus on the bridge near Jadavpur station bus stop. Suddenly, there was a commotion and we heard that there was an accident. I found an auto driver gesticulating and shouting at the victims before speeding away with his vehicle from the spot. The two injured persons were rushed to a nearby hospital,” said Gagan Kumar, a private company employee.

The police have started an investigation into the case. An officer said, “On our arrival at the spot, we found the bike lying on the bridge. We recovered the bike and then reached the hospital where the couple has been admitted. However, we could not find any witness to take his or her version about the accident.”

The Sukanta Setu is an accident-prone zone with the road narrowing down and the vehicles crossing speed limits.