Smriti's car not in mishap that killed biker, her ministry says

New Delhi: HRD Smriti Irani’s office on Monday denied that her convoy was involved in an accident on the Yamuna Expressway in which a biker had been killed on Saturday. The minister’s office said in a statement that a vehicle mentioned in media reports about having hit a motorcycle had nothing to do with Ms Irani’s cavalcade and that she had directed the Mathura SSP to arrange for an ambulance immediately so that the injured could be given medical treatment swiftly.

The police claimed Ms Irani’s cavalcade had nothing to do with the accident that took place in Agra. They claimed the cavalcade reached the spot seven minutes after the mishap, in which a doctor was killed and two others injured.  “Her convoy crashed into vehicles which were already piled up on the Yamuna Expressway due to that accident,” SSP Rakesh Yadav said.

Victim’s kin: Smriti said she could help us later
Earlier, Sandali Nagar, the daughter of the victim who died in the mishap, said they were on a motorcycle that was hit by a vehicle from behind which was part of Ms Irani’s convoy.  “I did ask her for help but she completely refused to help us and said she could help us afterward. Smriti Irani could have helped us. Had she helped (us), probably our father would not have died,” she said. Sandali’s brother Abhishek also made similar remarks, saying his father Dr Ramesh Nagar was lying dead and the injured children were pleading for help.  

“My sister, who was present at the spot, told me they (the minister and her entourage) did come out and see but instead of helping, they got back in the car and left,” he said.

In a series of tweets after the accident, the HRD minister had said, “Tried to help the injured who were lying on the road for quite some time and ensured they reach a hospital. Pray for their safety”.