No Proper Facilities at RTO Office Andheri: 25-Year-Old Injured as Learner Applicant Giving Test Collides
Contrary to the RTO officer’s statement that they were conducting the test on the track, there are insufficient facilities at the Andheri RTO office, and the officials did not implement proper precautions.
8th June 2024
A 25-year-old resident of Andheri was severely injured while waiting for his sister’s learner’s driving test at the Andheri RTO office. The driver of a vehicle, accompanied by an RTO licence inspector, collided with two vehicles and then struck the victim. The family of the victim alleges negligence on the part of the RTO officer and demands that the police file a First Information Report (FIR).
The victim, named Mohammad Moin Shaikh, runs his own tempo. Contrary to the RTO officer’s statement that they were conducting the test on the track, there are insufficient facilities at the Andheri RTO office, and the officials did not implement proper precautions.
Ravi Kumar Saha, aged 27, was the learner driver who arrived at the RTO office to obtain a permanent licence and undergo a driving test on Wednesday afternoon. Bhagwat Sanjay More, the Inspector of Motor Vehicles (IMV), administered the test and also suffered minor injuries in the accident.
Mushraf Shaikh, the brother of the victim, stated, “He was waiting along with others on the premises. Inspector Bhagwat More was conducting the driving test in the open area. The test was initiated by the driver, Ravi Saha, accompanied by an agent, around 1:30 pm on Wednesday.”
According to a police officer, during the driving test with Inspector More present in the car, the learner driver Ravi Saha started the car but mistakenly accelerated instead of applying the brake. Subsequently, the car collided with a motorcycle, then a taxi, and ultimately struck Moin Shaikh, who was there within the compound. Shaikh sustained severe injuries, including to his head, hands and other body parts.
Shaikh was then transported to CritiCare Hospital in Andheri by the RTO officer and subsequently transferred to Cooper Hospital for continued medical attention due to his critical condition. Mushraf further commented, “Inspector More took action by pulling the handbrake and exiting the vehicle during the incident. As the one overseeing the test, he bears full responsibility. The police should file an FIR against the officer as well for his involvement in the accident.”
In a conversation with mid-day, RTO official Raosaheb Ragade mentioned, “We currently lack proper infrastructure and facilities, including a designated track. We have previously notified the relevant authorities about this issue. Within the RTO office premises where driving tests are conducted, we have erected signage advising against standing in specific areas designated for driving tests.”
“We dispatched our officer to the police station to lodge the FIR against the learner driver accountable for the accident,” added RTO officer Ragade.
When questioned about the possibility of registering an FIR against Inspector More, who conducted the driving test, Ragade replied, “The incident occurred because of the learner driver. He was behind the wheel and bears full responsibility for the occurrence. Additionally, we will revoke his learner’s driving licence and implement suitable measures.”