HRD Minister Smriti Irani was in the thick of a controversy on Monday after the children of a doctor killed in an accident on the Yamuna Expressway on Saturday alleged that she did not extend any help at the spot. The HRD Ministry strongly refuted the allegations even as the Mathura administration too said that Irani’s motor cavalcade had nothing to do with the accident.
In a statement, the HRD Ministry said 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 SSP, Mathura, to arrange ambulance immediately so that injured could be given medical treatment at the earliest. The local police said that Irani reached 10 minutes later after the alleged accident had taken place.
On Saturday, 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.
Commenting on the accident, SSP Mathura, Rakesh Singh said the minister’s car had nothing to do with the accident involving the motorcycle. “The bike was hit by a Honda City (car). Two other cars also hit it. Then came Smriti Irani’s pilot car. The minister reached the spot 7-8 minutes after the accident. She got out and called our control room for help,” said Rakesh Singh.
Sandali has told the media that they were on a motor cycle which was hit by a vehicle from behind and that belonged to Irani.