Accused under alcohol influence or hate, asks man who lost wife, daughter in Latur road rage

On September 29, five men in a car allegedly pursued the Shaikh family for five kilometres before running them over, following a minor altercation over driving. Police said it was a case of road rage. “We had just arrived at a petrol pump when their car swerved in front of me. I urged them to drive carefully,” Sadique recalled. “Had I been on my own, I don’t think they could have even realised I am a Muslim. It was only because my wife was in a burkha that they found our faith,” he said.

Sadique sensed the men appeared to be intoxicated since they were slurring. “I asked them to be cautious, but they responded aggressively. They insulted me, calling me (a communal slur), and said that Muslims had become too arrogant and needed to be taught a lesson,” he alleged. “I drove for about five kilometres, and… I saw the same car following us. Moments later, we were struck by a vehicle that I believe was the same one pursuing us,” he alleged.

Iqra with her husband Sadique; and the couple’s children Nadia and Ahad.

“There was a family of five travelling in a rickshaw, and they saw the accident. They picked up our family members and put them in the rickshaw,” Ali Shaikh, Sadique’s younger brother, said.

Initially admitted to a private hospital, Sadique’s wife and daughter were later transferred to Latur Civil Hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival. “I’ve never faced hostility due to my religion. I sell second-hand cars, and 90% of my clientele and friends are Hindu,” Sadique said.

Those arrested include Digambhar Pandole, who was allegedly driving the vehicle, and Krishna Waghe, Basvaraj Dhotre, and Manoj Mane. The fifth accused, Manoj Mudame, is absconding, police said.

Latur SP Somay Munde said Shaikh did not mention any religious slurs in his initial statement. “This version is what we consider legitimate,” he said. He said claims of communal slur emerged after their lawyer became involved.

The lawyer, Altaf Kazi also acknowledged that Shaikh may not have invoked the allegation during his initial interaction with the police. “He may have refrained from divulging details initially due to fear. However, post-accident, he has consistently told his family that the men used religious slurs,” Kazi said. “The police initially considered charging the accused with culpable homicide, despite clear video evidence of their intent. After considerable persuasion, they ultimately agreed to charge the men with murder.”