Bandra Court Remands Megha Rawal to Judicial Custody Over 8-Year-Old Boy's Death
A magistrate court in Bandra on Tuesday remanded 45-year-old nutritionist and entrepreneur Megha Rawal to 14 days of judicial custody in connection with the death of eight-year-old Ansh Gupta, who was allegedly run over by her SUV in Bandra West on Sunday.
High drama unfolded outside the Bandra magistrate court around 1:30pm when the victim's family charged at Rawal as police escorted her to a vehicle. Officers shielded Rawal while family members chased the police vehicle and banged on its windows.
Magistrate ET Ingale of the 12th Court at Bandra rejected the police's plea for an extension of Rawal's police custody. The rejection came after investigators informed the court that no additional evidence was uncovered during her initial one-day remand. Rawal's bail application is scheduled to be heard by the Dindoshi Sessions Court on Wednesday.
The deceased child's father, 47-year-old Rajendra Gupta, along with his wife and other relatives, appeared before the magistrate to demand justice, alleging that Rawal's rash driving caused the death of their son. Fearing that an angry mob might damage the vehicle, police also moved Rawal's SUV away from the front of the station.
During the proceedings, Rawal's defence advocates, Ankita Singh and Bhavya Shah of A&P Partners, opposed further police custody. They argued that call data records (CDR) did not show that Rawal was on a phone call while driving or at the time of the accident. The defence also stated that there were no grounds to invoke Section 105.
Police Inspector Sachin Rane informed the court that the available CCTV footage was grainy and failed to confirm whether the driver was using a mobile phone. Rawal's legal counsel stated that she contacted her husband only after realising her vehicle had struck the boy. Her mobile phone has been handed over for forensic and CDR examination.
As part of the ongoing probe, investigators recorded the statement of eyewitness Shiva Sameer Sigdar, a milk seller operating on Mount Mary Road. Police also examined whether any prior dispute existed between the complainant, Rawal, and their relatives, finding no objectionable details.
