Mumbai: Scooterist hit by speeding sedan dies; drunk driver of car arrested

MUMBAI: A night out at Bandra proved fatal for 23-year-old Moiz Ansari who was hit by a speeding sedan while returning home on his two-wheeler at 3am on Sunday near Mahim Causeway. Police said the car's driver and co-passenger, both in their mid-20s, were drunk and have been arrested. The victim's cousin Naba Shaikh (16), who was riding pillion, also sustained severe injuries and has been admitted to Raheja Hospital.
The Mahim police have arrested Worli resident Ameer Shaikh (24), driver of the car, and his friend Darayus Jijina (23), a Mazgaon resident, and have registered an FIR under IPC sections for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, rash and negligent driving and criminal intimidation, among others. The accused were produced before a holiday court and sent in police custody till May 30. On Monday, they will be produced before a regular court.

Complainant Ismail Siddiqui (23) told TOI that he and his relatives had gone from south Mumbai to Bandra. "We went to Bandra Bandstand and sat there. The accident took place while we were returning," said Siddiqui.
Siddiqui said that all his relatives, on different vehicles, were wearing helmets. "After the accident, I along with two other relatives took (Moiz) Ansari and Naba to the hospital in a taxi while other relatives were at the spot from where the accused tried to flee. They were caught by our relatives and locals," said Siddiqui. Ansari's body was handed over to the family and he was buried at the Marine Lines Muslim cemetery on Sunday evening.

Police said the accused Ameer was speeding the sedan, a Skoda Superb. "He overtook a heavy vehicle and then dashed into Ansari's scooter from behind. The car was at such a high speed that it spinned several times after the accident," said police. The car allegedly hit another vehicle too after hitting the scooter. A police source said the scooter got dragged by the car for some hundred feet. Ansari fell on the road and died on the spot while his cousin Naba Shaikh, a Grant Road resident, fell on the road and sustained severe injuries. Ansari's mangled scooter was later brought to the police station.
Ansari is survived by a younger sister and his parents. After completing his BMS degree course, Ansari was working in an Andheri firm. Police found two helmets from the accident spot.
After the accident, when people gathered at the spot, Jijina allegedly threatened to beat up one Mohsin Khan, said police. Investigators are now gathering information about the ownership of the car and recording statements of witnesses. Police will also collect the CCTV footage of the area. Dinesh Dhatonde (PI Crime) said they found two liquor bottles in the accused's car. "Their medical report has also revealed that the accused were drunk," said Dhatonde.