The incident occurred on Tuesday when Khandigiri, a mathadi worker, and Kevat were on their way from Thane to Sewri on a red Bajaj Pulsar. They allegedly jumped a signal and met with the accident after a constable tried to stop them.

After the accident, Senior Police Inspector Subhash Pawar of the Vikhroli police station had said, “The traffic constable, who was present on duty, could smell alcohol when he approached the bike. When he suspected that Khandagiri might have consumed alcohol, he asked Kishor to accompany him to the nearby police chowky. Hearing this, Khandagiri panicked and raced his bike in order to escape.” According to Pawar, Khandagiri looked back to see if they are being chased by the police and lost control over the bike.

However, Dr Suleman Merchant, acting dean of the Sion Hospital said as per the medical reports, Khandagiri was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of accident. “He was in a state of coma when he was brought to the hospital on Tuesday and succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Saturday. The medical report shows that no traces of alcohol were found in his body.”

Kevat said, “Kishor and I were returning from Thane and were going to Sewri at nine in the morning. On the way we halted at the residence of Kishor’s sister for tea and snacks. Who consumes alcohol at nine in the morning? Truth is that a constable hit Kishor on his hand while he was speeding away and another hit me with his helmet after which Kishor lost his balance. Just before the incident, police also accused Kishor of driving a stolen bike though he had all the valid documents. Besides, my statement was recorded even though I was not in a position to talk. We want this incident to be investigated properly.”

However Pawar said, “The chemical analysis report which we received on Friday evening clearly says that there was alcoholic content present in Khandagiri’s blood. And as Kevat is saying that his statement was recorded when he was not in the state of consciousness, it seems frivolous as the doctor had remarked that the patient is in a state to make a statement.

Ashok Nikalje, Khandagiri’s brother-in-law said, “On Saturday, we approached the police station and urged them to take the statements of witnesses present at the time of incident. This is the only way to find out what happened that day. The senior police officials have agreed to do so and the statements of witnesses are being take.”