Rickshaw Driver Killed on Versova Beach

Mumbai: A tragic incident in Versova has resulted in the death of 36-year-old Ganesh Yadav, an auto-rickshaw driver, who was fatally injured when a jeep ran over him while he was sleeping on the beach. The accident occurred early on August 12 at approximately 5:45 am, as Yadav and his friend Babalu Shrivastav, also 36, were resting at Sagar Kutir Chaupati in Seven Bungalows, Andheri. The jeep, identified by the registration number MH 31 FE 3033, drove onto the beach and struck Yadav, causing severe injuries. Shrivastav, who was sleeping beside Yadav, was awakened by the impact and sustained injuries to his face and right hand. Following the incident, he sought medical treatment and subsequently reported the accident to the Versova police. Authorities have arrested the driver of the jeep, Nikhil Jawade, 34, and his associate, Shubham Dongre, 33. Both individuals are currently in police custody until August 16 as investigations continue. The police have seized the jeep, which was reportedly contracted from a Nagpur resident, Satish Javde, by Dongre for business purposes. The vehicle had entered a beach area that is restricted to motorized traffic. Local residents expressed concern over the incident, recalling a similar tragedy from the previous year when a vehicle also drove onto the beach, resulting in a fatality. The Versova police have not disclosed further details regarding the ongoing investigation.