'Hema Malini could have saved my daughter,' says father of girl killed in accident

Mumbai/Jaipur: Days after she was involved in an accident in Rajasthan, actor and BJP MP Hema Malini on Wednesday blamed the father of the girl, who was killed in the mishap, for not following traffic rules, sparking an angry reaction from him.

The BJP MP, who received injuries in the mishap, tweeted that the accident could have been averted had the father of the girl followed traffic rules.

The victim's father Hanuman Khandelwal alleged that it was Hema's Mercedes which was speeding above 100 kms per hour when his car was hit, leaving five persons injured near Dausa on July 2.

"I feel very sad that Hemaji, an MP, has such a small 'soch' (thinking) that she tweeted that I was not following traffic rules", Hanuman, who is convalescing in Trauma Hospital in the Pink City said. "She (Hema Malini) could have helped my child at least. Anyone could have taken pity on a two-year-old child, she could have taken my daughter with her," said the father of the girl.

Read: How I wish the girl's father had followed the traffic rules, tweets Hema Malini

Hanuman's two-year-old daughter Sonam was killed while five others were injured including the actress when Hema's car collided with another car.

"Big people can say anything from anywhere...If she has courage...she should come before me and say what she has to. I like to know from her one traffic rule that I violated... whether I was driving at very high speed, or whether I was on the wrong side, or I did not give an indicator..or I did not put seat belt", he said.

"My mistake was that I was driving at a very slow speed and her car was at high speed", he said, adding, "Why was her driver arrested and released on bail. We have filed the case with the Kotwali Police Station in Dausa district".

Read: Hema Malini to provide financial aid to accident victims

Hanuman's wife Shikha, five-year-old son and brother's wife Seema have been admitted to a hospital here.

In her tweet, Hema said, "My heart goes out to the child who unnecessarily lost her life and the family members who have been injured in the accident.

"How I wish the girl's father had followed traffic rules, then this accident could have been averted and the little one's life saved," she tweeted.

Hema, who has been criticised for leaving the accident spot alone and not taking the injured family with her to a hospital, also lashed out at the media.

"As for the sensation-hungry media and a few members of the public, who had a field day maligning me even when I was helpl