Days after a vegetable vendor was killed and several others injured after a car crashed into them at a market in Kolkata’s Thakurpukur, Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Kunal Ghosh raised several questions on the probe into the accident, including why only the car’s driver was arrested and not its other occupants.
“Why hasn’t everyone who killed people by driving recklessly and uncontrollably in Thakurpukur been arrested yet? Whoever was driving and whoever was in that drunken and uncivilised car should all be arrested. A normal accident and killing people while driving in a drunk state are not the same,” he said on Wednesday.
The TMC leader went on, “Why aren’t the Tollywood revolutionaries out holding candles on the street with ‘We want justice’ placards? Is this because your industry is full of alcoholics and murderers? Where have the revolutionary dance songs vanished?”
Television serial director Siddhant Das, 35, who was allegedly driving the car in an inebriated condition at the time of the accident on Sunday morning, was arrested and sent to police custody till Thursday.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and led to demands for a thorough investigation. Associate producer Shriya Basu, who was also in the car when the accident occurred, was released by the police, prompting further scrutiny. The police, however, justified Basu’s release, stating, “She is not directly involved in the crime. The investigation is still underway.”
The incident has ignited a fierce debate, with actors and several others demanding transparency and justice for the victims.
Actress Sayantika Banerjee also expressed her concerns in the wake of the developments. Speaking to reporters, she said, “Whoever it is, I do not support this incident. I drive myself. I protest if I see someone driving under the influence of alcohol. Many have raised questions as to why the director was at the wheel even though he was drunk. Why couldn’t they rent a car? Why wasn’t he stopped by those who were traveling with him?”
Earlier, renowned actress Rituparna Sengupta said, “Drink and drive is never the right thing. It is quite detrimental because driving needs more alertness and it endangers lives.”