‘Dropped out to study filmmaking… was the careful one’: Friends remember 30-yr-old Piyush Pal who died in accident

“… we worked on several projects for clients such as WHO and UNICEF. He made films about the pandemic, the ‘Saving the Girl Child’ initiative and different events. We saw the CCTV footage (of the accident) — he was not speeding. He was also wearing a helmet. We are all shocked by the public apathy, that he lay there for more than half an hour and nobody helped him. I don’t understand how people can shoot videos and not help someone in need,” said Pal’s friend, Swarnendu Bose.

He recalled how Pal was the “careful” one among the friends. He always kept an extra bag with a phone, a water bottle and a few other items. His friends said he didn’t believe in using plastic and always carried glass bottles.

On Saturday night, Pal was returning from a swimming class when his bike allegedly collided with another bike and crashed into a tree. The incident took place at 9.45 pm, going by CCTV footage from the spot. While several passersby had gathered around the busy road, not one of them took him to a hospital or called police. Someone from the crowd even stole his belongings — his GoPro camera, a bag and phone.

For the next 30 minutes, Pal lay bleeding on the road until a good samaritan finally stopped and rushed him to a hospital.

Pal’s family said he was only able to reach the hospital at 11 pm. By the time he was admitted, he had already lost a lot of blood, said doctors. He died of injuries Tuesday.

Pal’s sister, who refused to be named, said the family is grieving. “We don’t need any compensation. We just want justice. We are shocked that police have done something so bizarre… My brother’s bike was hit from the back. The other person should be arrested.”

Abhishek Haldar, another friend, said, “Piyush worked as a cinematographer for Carrot Films. He made several documentaries… His phone was active till 9.50/10 pm. We think someone robbed it and switched it off later…”

Meanwhile, police said they lodged an FIR on the complaint of a man named Bunty who was on the other bike. Police said after Pal’s death, they are checking CCTVs again and conducting an enquiry.