Two students arrested for fatal Palm Beach Road hit and run in Sanpada

The Sanpada Police on July 2 arrested two college students in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident on Palm Beach Road in Sanpada, Navi Mumbai. The arrests were made after the Bombay High Court rejected the anticipatory bail applications of the accused.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Sagar Dana Hira Sanda, 19, a BBA student, and Krishnadhanaji Ravaria, 19, a BSc student. Both have been remanded to police custody as further investigation continues.

The case dates back to March 3, when an accident occurred on Palm Beach Road between Sarsole Junction and Moraj Circle. According to the police, 23-year-old Prashant Vijay Jamdade and 17-year-old Harman Kaur were riding a motorcycle when the vehicle skidded, causing both of them to fall onto the road. Two cars, allegedly driven by the speeding accused, ran over the victims and fled the scene without stopping to help.

Jamdade died on the spot. Kaur, who was riding pillion, remained unconscious for 16 days before passing away from her injuries on March 19.

Following Kaur's death, the police invoked Section 105 (culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused were also booked under BNS Section 106(1) for causing death by negligence, Section 281 for rash driving, and Sections 125(a) and 125(b) for acts endangering human life or personal safety. Additionally, they face charges under Sections 184, 134(a), and 134(b) of the Motor Vehicles Act for dangerous driving and failing to stop and render assistance.

The arrests followed a public campaign by the victims' families, who demanded stricter action against the drivers. On March 31, the families and social activists held a candlelight march at Shivaji Chowk in Vashi. They alleged lapses in the initial probe, questioned delays in collecting the accused's blood samples, and demanded the case be transferred to the Crime Branch or CID. They also pushed for the invocation of Section 105 of the BNS.