PANAJI
Rupesh Halarnkar, former Corporator is set to fight a case before the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) against the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) and Public Works Department (PWD), pertaining to an accident that claimed his 21-year-old son’s life on New Year.
Ayush, a second-year student at Dhempe College of Arts and Science, succumbed on the spot after falling into a trench dug for sewerage work under the Smart City Project at Mala.
He was riding his Royal Enfield in the early hours when he fell into the pit which was neither barricaded properly nor illuminated.
Taking a suo motu cognizance of the accident, the GHRC issued a notice to the Managing IPSCDL Director and PWD Chief Engineer, seeking a report/reply on January 15.
When the matter came up for hearing on Monday, both the respondents sought time, which was granted. Rupesh, on the other hand, filed an application for intervention.
The GHRC added him as the third respondent in the case and adjourned the matter for February 5 for the next hearing.
According to the police, around 3:45 am, Ayush's motorcycle crashed into wooden planks near the trench. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was declared dead on arrival. No formal complaint was filed by the family or the State.
