Protest at Malad Police Station Over Bail in Fatal Crash That Killed Priyanka Satra

Family members, friends, and a local politician gathered at Malad police station on Thursday afternoon to protest against alleged favourable treatment given to Krishna Chamankar, the accused in a fatal crash that killed 35-year-old former lawyer Priyanka Satra and injured several others. The demonstration was staged following the emergence of CCTV footage that captured the collision.

Satra died and several others, including her husband Mayank Shah, sustained injuries in the accident a few days earlier. Chamankar was booked by police for causing death by negligence. Shah was present at the Malad demonstration alongside demonstrators demanding strict action and justice for his wife.

The protesters called for the suspension of two police officials who allegedly provided preferential treatment to Chamankar. BJP-nominated corporator Pravin Chheda demanded an independent inquiry conducted by senior officers into the conduct of the police personnel involved, seeking departmental proceedings and suspensions if they are found guilty. He also urged strict prosecution of Chamankar in line with the severity of the incident.

Chheda contrasted the handling of the case with another crash in the city, stating that two accidents occurred on the same day. He noted that in the Bandra accident, police applied stringent legal sections and arrested the accused, whereas in the Malad case, police did not apply stringent sections, allowing the accused to secure bail within two hours.

In a letter sent to senior police officials three days prior, Chheda alleged that Chamankar was permitted to use a mobile phone while held inside the lock-up. He further alleged that around 1:20 am, a woman police officer from Versova arrived at the station, cited a medical check-up, and moved Chamankar from the lock-up to an air-conditioned room at the rear of the police station.

Police authorities have not issued a response to the allegations.