16 Jun 2024  |   07:07am IST

At this rate, those who died won’t get justice. Those who survived won’t get a future

The result of the forensic tests is yet unknown, even the chargesheet has not been filed and the accused are free waiting for the law to take its own course

PRATIK PARAB

BANASTARIM: Vanita Bhandari stares at a destroyed future as the   speeding SUV with Paresh and Meghana Sawardekar in the front seat, killed   three and severely injured three others at the Banastarim bridge on August 6,   2023. She was one of the injured who is struggling to live with her disability.

The police stated that it was Paresh who was driving the car. But then   the trial, when it does happen will reveal the full story.

The injuries not only destroyed her education but also claimed the   life of her fiance Anup Karmakar. 

Almost a year has gone by, and Vanita continues to remain bedridden   after the accident inflicted a damage that is now medically irreparable. Her   family members informed her that she will not be able to move and had to be   fed and assisted for mobility. The accident killed three but also killed the   future of Vanita.

Raj Majgaonkar and Shankar Halarnkar were the other two who were hit   by the speeding killer Merc but miraculously survived. 

And the family members of Suresh and Bhavna Phadte wake up and go to   bed each day, playing out, that hell of a day, August 6, 2023.  They do not have any closure. Because the   system has kept their wounds raw and unhealed.

The family members of the victims later filed a combined police case   in the matter. However, it's been 10 months and a chargesheet is yet to be   filed in the case this big. It has been completed but is waiting for a senior   officer of the Crime Branch for vetting.

Sources have informed that there has been a constant change in the   investigation officers at the Crime Branch. Four officers have been changed   so far resulting in the loss of valuable time. 

The case that is being heard at a Court in Panjim was adjourned on   Wednesday since the judge wasn’t present.

THE SILENCE OF   THE INVESTIGATORS 

Crime Branch officials have continued to remain tight-lipped over the   case. Sources have informed that the charge sheet may be filed very soon.   However, important forensic data that would be needed to take the case for   conviction is still awaited. While the progress of the case hangs in balance   it is also learnt that several investigation officers have come and gone   after it was shifted to the Crime Branch with no actual headway.