Instead of applying brakes to slow down the vehicle, the driver accidentally stepped on the accelerator causing the accident, cops said.
The car with the Vidhana Soudha secretariat pass of BJP MLA Hartalu Halappa that was involved in an accident (Supplied)
A speeding Multi-Utility Vehicle (MUV) left a trail of blood, death, and horror on the streets of Bengaluru on Monday, 6 February, afternoon. A car, with the Vidhana Soudha secretariat pass of BJP MLA Hartalu Halappa, mowed down motorists, killing two and injuring four others.
Instead of applying brakes while nearing a signal, the driver of the car stepped on the accelerator causing an accident on the busy Nrupathunga Road near the Metropolitan Magistrate Court. The MUV involved in the accident belongs to a relative of BJP MLA Hartalu Halappa and was on its way to pick up his daughter.
The driver of the Innova Crysta, 48-year-old Mohan M, told the police that he “accidentally stepped on the accelerator instead of brakes”. Mohan, who has been arrested after the car accident, was rushing to pick up the daughter of BJP MLA Hartalu Halappa from the Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) where she was pursuing her MD.
BJP MLA Hartalu Halappa’s Vidhana Soudha secretariat pass on the car that mowed down motorists in Bengaluru in an accident on Monday, 6 February (Supplied)
Although not owned by Hartalu Halappa, the car had an officially signed and sealed government pass for Vidhana Soudha — the state’s secretariat. The pass is only issued to elected representatives to identify their vehicles and allow entry into Vidhana Soudha.
The accident happened around 3.15 pm near the Metropolitan Magistrate Court — a stone’s throw from the state police headquarters.
The accident left 36-year-old Majeed Khan, a resident of HBR Layout, and 60-year-old Ayyappa, a resident of KG Halli, dead.
While Majeed Khan died on the spot, Ayyappa succumbed to injuries later at the hospital. Four others were also injured in the incident and five vehicles — two cars and three bikes — were damaged, the police said.
The police arrested the car’s driver Mohan and subjected him to a medical examination where it became clear that he was not driving under the influence of any substance.
According to the police, as Mohan arrived near the magistrate court, he lost control over the car and ploughed into five vehicles that were slowing down for the signal.
Due to the impact of the collision, Majeed Khan, who was riding a Honda Activa, was killed on the spot after sustaining fatal injuries. Ayyappa, a pillion rider on a Bajaj Pulsar bike, fell to the ground and was rushed to St Martha’s Hospital nearby.
Deceased Majeed Khan (36), resident of HBR Layout and Ayyappa (60) resident of KG Halli
Passers-by and other commuters panicked following the accident as six people were lying on the ground bleeding. All of them were soon shifted to St. Martha’s Hospital, which was nearby. Doctors declared Majeed Khan “dead on arrival” and the other, Ayyappa, succumbed to injuries later.
The Halasuru Gate traffic police registered a case and have taken Mohan into custody.
A senior police officer attached to the Halasuru Gate traffic police station said, “An Innova Crysta bearing the registration number KA-50 MA 6600 is registered in the name of one Ramu Suresh, who is a retired forest department officer, and a resident of Yelahanka. His son is married to Hartalu Halappa’s daughter, who is presently pursuing MD at the KIMS. Mohan was hurriedly heading to pick up Halappa’s daughter from her college when the accident happened.”
According to police sources, the MLA sticker that was on the vehicle was removed soon after the accident by the traffic police. South First attempted to contact MLA Hartalu Halappa for his reaction, but he has not responded yet.
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