Gujarat: Local BJP leader, wife and aide killed in road accident in Valsad district

The tempo they were in was hit by a speeding tanker, which later hit a luxury bus on national highway No 48 near Bhilad check post.

Mukesh Dhodi and his wife Kalpana

Umargam Nagar Palika elected BJP member Mukesh Dhodi (45), his wife Kalpana Dhodi (40), and their aide Hiten Halpati (27), died in a car accident in Valsad district on Friday morning. The tempo they were in was hit by a speeding tanker, which later hit a luxury bus on national highway No 48 near Bhilad check post.

At least 10 passengers in the bus were injured in the accident, and were admitted to Valsad Civil Hospital.

The Bhilad police said Dhodi, who runs an orchestra, was returning to his home in Kanadu village in Umargam Taluka with his orchestra team members in a tempo (DL-09B-9346). The tempo had some mechanical faults as a result of which five members of the troupe had pushed the vehicle to a safer place on the first track. Dhodi and his wife Kalpana were seated in the driver’s cabin.

A speeding tanker (MH-04-2254), returning from Mumbai to Vapi, hit the tempo and then the luxury bus (GJ-16AV-838).

The tempo driver left the vehicle at the spot and fled. Several passersby gathered at the spot and carried out the rescue operation.

The Bhilad police also reached the spot after learning about the incident and helped the injured reach the hospital.

Several BJP leaders and workers from Umargam and Valsad also reached the spot after learning about the incident.

Dhodi, Kalpana and Halpati died on the spot.

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Bhilad police inspector B H Rathod said, “We have registered an accidental death complaint, as three people died on the spot and 10 others were injured. The deceased include Umargam taluka panchayat elected BJP member Mukesh Dodhi. We are trying to identify the tempo driver who fled.”

Kamal Saiyed

Kamal Saiyed is a senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, providing extensive, on-the-ground coverage from Surat and the broader South Gujarat region and the Union territories of Daman, Diu & Dadra Nagar Haveli. With a reporting career at the publication spanning back to 2007, he has established himself as a high-authority voice on the industrial, social, and political pulse of one of India’s fastest-growing urban hubs. Expertise Industrial & Economic Beat: Based in the "Diamond City," Saiyed offers expert reporting on the diamond and textile industries. His work tracks global market shifts (such as De Beers production changes), local trade policies, and the socio-economic challenges facing the millions of workers in Surat’s manufacturing hubs. Civic & Infrastructure Coverage: He consistently reports on urban development and public safety in Surat, including: Traffic & Urban Planning: Monitoring the city's 13-fold increase in traffic violations and the implementation of new municipal drives. Public Safety: Investigative reporting on infrastructure failures, fire safety NOC compliance in schools and commercial buildings, and Metro rail progress. Political Reporting: Tracking the shifting dynamics between the BJP, Congress, and AAP in South Gujarat and the neighboring Union Territories (Daman, Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli). Crime beat: Armed with a good source network Saiyed has been able to bring out the human side of crime stories in his region ... Read More

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