What transpired on that fateful night on May 22, hours before a Mercedes Benz, allegedly driven by Empee Group scion Shaji Purushothaman, ran over 13-year-old Muniraj on a pavement in Egmore?
According to sources, Shaji and his friends, R M Kumar (43) of Kosapet and Anil Rao (33) and Syed Anwar (25) from Hyderabad, were holed up in a flat in Egmore’s Elconso Apartments on the evening of May 22, reportedly discussing plans to start a cine studio in the city, over a couple of drinks.
The four men began downing drink after drink and later decided to move their booze session to the terrace. Their loud chatter left many residents fuming.
Around 12.45 am, the group of four decided to visit one of the Empee Group’s hotels in the city. Shaji offered to drive his friends there in his Merc and took the car out of the apartment complex onto Pantheon Road. Shaji, who was allegedly behind the wheel, then crashed into a police patrol vehicle, which was turning towards the Government Hospital for Women and Children, and ploughed on to a pavement in the bus shelter, where some homeless people, including children, were seeking shelter.
The car ran over Muniraj (13), Subharakshitha (10), and Vasu (7), and two other adults, who were erecting hoardings there. Shaji and Kumar were handed over to policemen on night patrol duty, who turned them in to Anna Square Traffic Inspector Ravichandran.
Shortly after, Shaji was allowed to go scot-free after Kumar volunteered to save the Empee Group’s face by claiming that he drove the car at the time of the accident. Despite instructions from the top brass, the inspector released Shaji.
A case was registered under Sections 279 (Rash driving or riding on a public way) and 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the IPC against Kumar and other occupants. Subsequently, Muniraj succumbed to his injuries. When the police altered the case to IPC Section 304 (ii) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Kumar washed his hands of the incident and Shaji was named the prime accused.
