Bodies of two friends found on Mumbai’s Eastern Express Highway

Cops suspect bike skidded off highway owing to wet roads, duo succumbed to head wounds

Two friends were found lying dead on the north-bound stretch of the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) near Vikhroli early on Monday. Police suspect their motorcycle skidded off the highway owing to the wet roads.

The unidentified accused has been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 304 A (causing death by negligence). (HT FILE)

Chetan Baban Kokane, 33, and Sushant Ramdas Sawant, 28, were residents of Navghar in Mulund (East). While Kokane worked as a senior dealer at an online stock and share trading house, Sawant was a video editor. Kokane was married and had a five-year-old son. Sawant was a bachelor.

The two had gone to a hospital in Parel to meet Kokane’s relative, said police. They left late on Sunday and stopped briefly to meet Kokane’s uncle at Vikhroli to oversee preparations for Ganeshotsav.

They were heading towards their residence in Navghar at Mulund when the accident occurred. The two sustained grievous head injuries. Passersby found their bodies around 1.08 am, after which they were taken to a nearby hospital where doctors declared them dead.

“As it was late when the two left, Kokane’s uncle was worried about their safety. He told them to call him after they reached. After they failed to do so, he called Kokane’s phone. A passerby picked up and informed him about the accident,” said Ravi Naik, a friend of the duo. “I went to the spot but they were dead at the time,” he added.

There was no visible damage to the motorcycle expect a dent to the handle.

The bodies of the two were brought to the Mhada colony where they lived so the final rites could be performed. A pall of gloom had descended upon the area, which was packed with friends and relatives witnessing the cremation.

“Kokane and Sawant were always joyous and friendly. They participated in every festival with enthusiasm,” said Naik. He added the duo’s families were in shock.