Taxi menace: Why can't driver be booked for murder, asks husband

The death of 35yearold Supriya Kattimanigaudar triggered a public outcry on Sunday when her body was handed over to her family The deceasedrsquos husband and local residents who gathered in masses and surrounded the ambulance bearing the body demanded the shutting down of share taxi servicesThey also ensured that the police acknowledged seven of their demands on stamp paper A crowd of around 500 had become furious and even attempted to stop trafficSupriya was knocked down by a speeding share taxi near Dosti Acres in Wadala around 830 pm on SaturdayMahesh Thakur right and advocate Harikesh SharmaThe impact of the accident was such that her head got crushed The deceased was living with her husband and four children at Indira Nagar Wadala EastBy the time the body of the deceased was brought from KEM hospital to Indira Nagar at 7 pm residents had gathered to stage a protest against the police The locals alleged that the cops were being lenient towards the accused who walked free the very night of the incident They also demanded a complete ban on share taxisAlso Read Mumbai Crime Rash driving cabbie kills woman in WadalaThe Wadala cops eventually had to resort to a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd but locals were firm on getting some assurances from copsFinally Inspector Mangesh Shinde and other staff spoke with Supriyarsquos family and acknowledged their demands which included booking drivers involved in fatal accidents under Section 302 murder of the Indian Penal Code helping the deceasedrsquos family get accommodation in government quarters helping the family to get insurance money from the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal as well as banning share taxis Cops signed the stamp paper in front of the residents and when it was announced that demands will be fulfilled the crowd went homeBabu Kattimanigaudar husband of the deceased said ldquoThe driver of the cab was let off on bail after paying R15000 Is this justice Is this a cost of human life Why canrsquot they book the driver for murder Also on Saturday they cops and local leaders claimed share cabs would be stopped but they are still running Are they waiting for another deathrdquoNC against lawyer cyclistA couple of hours after the fatal accident local residents Mahesh Thakur and advocate Harikesh Sharma happened to spot the damaged taxi and a parked vehicle that it had damaged ldquoI made a video about how speeding occurs on the road leading to Barkat Ali Naka I am a cyclist and face serious challenges while riding as cabbies drive recklessly Cops at the spot immediately rushed towards me and asked me to stop filmingrdquo said ThakurThe duo was taken to Wadala police station and a noncognisable offence was registered against them for obstructing a public servant from discharging their duty criminal intimidation and breach of peace ldquoIt was strange We didnrsquot interfere with police work Since when has making such videos become an offencerdquo asked SharmaAsked about this Senior Inspector Milind Jadhav of Wadala police station replied ldquoI have to check the facts ofthe incidentrdquo He added ldquoI had a meeting with BMC officials and traffic cops regarding stopping share taxis We have also demanded additional signage and speed breakers Allegations of police helping the accused are baselessrdquo7 pmTime on Sunday when body was handed over to kin