3 killed, 13 injured after ‘illegal’ taxi jeep collides with SUV on highway in Palghar

In Wada, scores of jeeps double up as illegal taxis and ferry passengers without a permit

Three people — including two women — were killed instantly, after a fully-loaded taxi jeep collided with a Scorpio SUV at Sonshiv Phata on the Wada-Khardi highway on Saturday evening.

Thirteen of the taxi’s 16 passengers and one of the SUV’s passengers were admitted to the rural hospital in Wada. (HT File Photo)

The victims, Asha Sable, 60; Anita Sable, 41; and Zakir Shaikh, 25 — the driver of the jeep — are all residents of Sonale village.

Thirteen of the taxi’s 16 passengers and one of the SUV’s passengers were admitted to the rural hospital in Wada. Of these, three were later shifted to a Mumbai-based hospital after their condition became critical.

“We filed a case of negligence under section 304 (a) of the Indian Penal Code and sections of the Motor Vehicle Act against Shaikh. We are awaiting a post-mortem report,” said inspector Ravindra Naik of the Wada police station.

In Wada, scores of jeeps double up as illegal taxis and ferry passengers without a permit. Each jeep crams in at least 16 passengers so as to make a profit. Police are allegedly bribed to turn a blind eye to the racket.

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