Odisha is mourning the tragic loss of Bharati Mukhi, a 26‑year‑old sales executive from Baripada, who was killed in a road accident in Hyderabad on August 16.
Bharati, employed at Lifestyle store in Inorbit Mall, was struck by a speeding Aston Martin while crossing the road near the mall.
Police identified the driver as 21‑year‑old Lingamaneni Sanjush, son of Andhra Pradesh Rajya Sabha MP and Jana Sena Party leader Lingamaneni Ramesh. Eyewitnesses captured disturbing visuals showing Bharati’s bloodied body, her colleague crying for help, and bystanders confronting the accused before rushing her to Apollo Hospital in the same car. Doctors declared her dead on arrival.
The Hyderabad police registered a case under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for causing death by rash or negligent act. The luxury car was seized, and preliminary drug and alcohol tests on the accused returned negative. Blood samples have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for further analysis.
Officials explained that under the Arnesh Kumar judgment and Section 35(1), arrest was not immediately possible since the offence carries less than five years’ punishment. Instead, a notice was issued to the accused, sparking public debate on accountability in cases involving influential families.
Back home in Odisha, Bharati’s family is devastated. She was the sole breadwinner, supporting her widowed mother and younger siblings. Her aunt has appealed to the Odisha government for financial assistance, stressing that the family’s survival now depends on urgent support.
The incident has triggered outrage across Odisha, with citizens demanding strict action and highlighting the vulnerability of young professionals working outside the state. Bharati’s death underscores the urgent need for stronger road safety enforcement and equal justice, irrespective of social or political status.
As Odisha grieves, the call for justice grows louder, with Bharati’s story resonating as both a personal tragedy and a reminder of systemic gaps in road safety and accountability.
