The deaths of three motorcyclists, including a woman pillion, have ignited a wave of social media outrage. The involvement of the prominent Sawardekar-Kamat family has further intensified public sentiment as the local police attempted to downplay the case despite the collision killing three on the spot and leaving other victims crying for help.
The absence of CCTV cameras at the accident scene, coupled with allegations of preferential treatment to the GA-07-K7311 Mercedes Benz-owning couple rather than providing immediate assistance to the victims has hurt the online community. Netizens have taken to social media platforms to ensure their collective message reaches the attention of law enforcement agencies as hush-up allegations also surface.
“Extremely disturbed with the whole Banastarim incident…Haven't been able to sleep properly (the) last few days! There have been so many accidents in Goa but this one has triggered my anxiety! While most people aren’t expecting justice, I am hoping there is…” reads a post by Twitter user Pooja, using the handle @PoohBear_Goa.
While others ran a tag seeking justice for the victims of the accident, another user Mr MR with the Twitter handle @PatraoRM7 alleged that “CM and copz (cops) r (are) firm in the setting unless people take to the streets n (and) shut down goa (Goa) for justice.”
Suspicions of swapping of the driver and the prioritisation of the couple over the injured parties have also created widespread discontent. Another Twitter user Abdul with the handle @cutletpavv demanded to know “Wasn’t there a single CCTV on the entire road to see who was driving,” to which another @evesfarer replied, “There should be enough eye witnesses though, those 20-30 people at the party and those at the accident site. This case should go to court as soon as possible.”
As the discussion on social media grew over the last one week, another Twitter user @alovelace9 commented, “Even places like Panjim don’t have proper coverage of cameras. Accidents like this one expose gross deficiencies in infra for public safety. Surely some of the money used for all the recent statues would have brought some speed cams (cameras).”
“Just ask the kids in the passenger seat “nicely” they will spill the beans,” Vikrant Desai said in his reply to a thread on the issue.
The netizens also suggested checking for CCTV cameras located in the nearby premises that could give clarity to the case probe.
Bias towards celebrity, affluent, powerful?
The horrific road mishap at Banastarim on the night of August 6 shocked people across the State. But shock also turned into anger and revulsion when it was revealed that an affluent and prominent couple in a luxury car driven by an inebriated driver had rammed into vehicles, killing three of them and injuring three others. The Banastarim road mishap had brought into focus that yardsticks and judgements tend to be applied differently to different people, depending on the ‘who…
