An elderly Jain Sadhvi was killed on the spot after meeting with a fatal accident on Mumbai-Kolkata National Highway number 53 near Chhachan Pahadi in Mahasamund district during the wee hours of Sunday, police said.
Chief Minister Raman Singh has expressed profound grief over the death of the Sadhvi and has prayed for the speedy recovery of injured persons.
According to the police, the mishap occurred around 5 am while the deceased identified as Smriti Pragya (62) was on the way to Samvet Sikhar Jain shrine in Jharkhand along with her fellow monks. They had reached near Chhachan Pahadi under Tumgao police station limits when the incident happened.
“The Sadhvi being old was being carried on a wheel chair and a Maruti van that carried daily supplies was following them on walking pace,” Sub-Inspector Ml Shukla In-charge Station House Officer (SHO) Tumgaon said.
A rashly driven unidentified truck coming from rear hit the van that collided with Sadhvi’s wheelchair resulting in fatal injuries and death,” the SHO added.
Five persons have been injured in the incident out of which one suffered fracture while others have sustained minor injuries, he said.
Meanwhile, Tumgaon police have registered a case in this connection and have launched an investigation.