Pregnant woman killed in car crash, brother fights cover-up

Rakesh Chopra left his job in London after his sister was killed and parents were critically injured in a car crash in May 2012 in Gurgaon. He is managing his job, supporting his family and fighting to ensure his sister gets justice. Leena Dhankhar reports. Case file

While the country celebrated Rakhi on Thursday, for Rakesh Chopra, brother of Kshama Shetye who died in the BMW hit-and-run crash in May this year, it was a day filled with sadness.

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An NRI based in London, Rakesh left his job and settled in Gurgaon after his pregnant 30-year-old sister was killed and his parents and brother-in-law critically injured in an accident in Gurgaon this May.

He performed the last rites of his sister while his family members were battling for life in hospital. His mother Meena Chopra, 65, has been in coma for three months now.

The only brother of three sisters, Rakesh is full of stories about his youngest sibling Kshama.

"I am missing her a lot today. We did not celebrate the festival and my day was like any other day. I came to the hospital to see my mother. Life has become miserable and the administration and police have completely ignored us," he said.

"Kshama was with me in London in February and we had great time together. I never thought it would be the last time we would see each other. For a brother, it's a sad moment and I hope I get justice for her. It is unfortunate that I could not get the accused behind the bars. Such people think they have the licence to kill people on the road and not get punished ever," the 32-year-old said. Gurgaon BMW probe smells of cover-up

The family has spent around Rs 70 lakh on hospital and living expenses in the last three months. Kshama's sisters have left their children with their respective families and are supporting Rakesh.

The financial burden on the family is increasing by the day as the Chopra family is finding it difficult to cope with hospital bills.

"Several medical tests are conducted daily. My mother has gone through dialysis and has multiple fractures and wounds all over her body. She is in coma in the ICU. Though she opens her eyes and looks around for a few seconds, she sinks again.

She doesn't even know Kshama is no more," said Rakesh, who is now planning to sell his flat in Delhi to meet the expenses.

The family has taken a house on rent in Gurgaon and hired two attendants to look after their father Rajender Chopra who suffered fractures and is bedridden after the accident.