In a significant development, a complaint has been filed against prominent industrialist Anand Mahindra and 13 employees of Mahindra & Mahindra in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The complaint carries serious allegations, including fraud, in connection with a fatal accident involving a Mahindra Scorpio SUV.
The complainant, Rajesh Mishra, alleges that Mahindra employees sold him a Scorpio SUV without airbags, which subsequently led to the tragic death of his only son in an accident. According to Rajesh Mishra, on December 2, 2020, he purchased a black Scorpio SUV for ₹17.39 lakh from Tirupati Auto. He made this purchase after being briefed about the vehicle’s features by the company, and he had also seen advertisements featuring Anand Mahindra on various social media platforms.
Rajesh Mishra had gifted the Scorpio to his only son, Dr. Apoorva Mishra. Tragically, while returning to Sekanpur, the vehicle overturned after colliding with a divider due to heavy fog, resulting in the untimely death of his son Apoorva.
Following the accident, on January 29, Rajesh approached Tirupati Auto and informed them about the defects in the vehicle, specifically that the airbag did not deploy despite wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. He accused the sellers of fraudulent sales practices and raised concerns about the vehicle’s safety.
Rajesh Mishra contends that if the car had been properly inspected and equipped with airbags, his son might have survived the accident. Moreover, he alleges that, on the instructions of the Director, the company’s manager abused his family, subjected them to harassment, and even issued death threats.
In response to these allegations, the victim has taken legal action by filing a complaint through the court against 13 individuals, including Anand Gopal Mahindra. The complaint has been lodged at the Raipurwa police station.
The station in-charge has stated that a technical inspection of the vehicle will be conducted to investigate the matter thoroughly.
This incident highlights the seriousness of safety concerns and the potential consequences of selling vehicles without crucial safety features. It also underscores the need for consumers to be vigilant and informed when purchasing vehicles to ensure their safety and that of their loved ones.
The outcome of this legal proceeding will be closely watched, and it could have broader implications for the automobile industry in terms of adhering to safety standards and ethical sales practices. It serves as a reminder of the critical importance of transparency and accountability when it comes to consumer safety in the automotive sector.