BHUBANESWAR: Mystery shrouded the ownership of the SUV which mowed down an MCA student of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) here two days back.
While the white Tata Safari was found to be registered with Siddharth Constructions, which is promoted by family members of BJD legislator from Cuttack-Barabati Debasish Samantray, Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi said the construction firm claimed that it was being ‘used’ by former Speaker Kishore Mohanty.
The police version, however, was confusing since it had stated in the morning that the vehicle was being driven by a driver of Sidharth Constructions who had abandoned the vehicle after running over the OUAT student Suchismita Biswal on Saturday night.
The girl was on her way back to hostel when she was mowed down by the SUV near Delta Square on Saturday.
According to police, the vehicle was being driven by a man who fled from the spot after the mishap. While the vehicle has been seized by Khandagiri police, the cops are in search of the driver.
Earlier in the day, students of OUAT staged a demonstration at Siripur Square demanding `50 lakh compensation and justice for the family of Biswal. They also sought a CBI probe into the matter.
While the students claimed that police are hesitating to act, Commissionerate of Police changed its version later in the day.
“The vehicle was being used by former Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly Kishore Mohanty. His driver was at the wheels when the incident took place,” DCP Bhoi said. Bhoi added that the vehicle still belonged to Sidharth Constructions.
The accident took place on Saturday night when Biswal was returning to hostel. The student and three of her friends were seriously injured after the car hit them from behind. While all the four were rushed to a private hospital here, Biswal succumbed there.
A case of death due to negligent driving has been registered against the driver, Bhoi said adding, the SUV was coming from Fire Station Square side on the wrong way. The driver returned to run over the girls after knocking Biswal and two others.