A tragic road accident involving the convoy of Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Shaukat Molla claimed the life of a young motorcyclist on Tuesday. The accident occurred near Bamanghata, close to Science City, when one of the convoy’s vehicles collided head-on with a motorcycle.
According to police sources, the deceased has been identified as Mohammad Tajuddin. He was rushed to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata in critical condition soon after the accident but later succumbed to his injuries in the afternoon.
The incident took place when Shaukat Molla, MLA from Canning East and TMC’s observer for Bhangar, was travelling from Jibantala in South 24 Parganas to Kolkata. Around mid-morning, his convoy encountered the mishap as it was passing through Bamanghata along the Basanti Highway.
Eyewitnesses said that the pilot car of the convoy was leading Molla’s vehicle when a motorcycle suddenly came into its path. Unable to control the situation, the police pilot car rammed into the two-wheeler. The impact was so severe that the bike was completely mangled, while the front portion of the pilot car was also badly damaged.
Tajuddin, who was riding the motorcycle, sustained multiple serious injuries. Simultaneously, the driver of the pilot car was also injured in the crash. While the driver was immediately taken to the Bhangar Nalmuri hospital for treatment, Tajuddin’s condition was deemed critical, prompting his transfer to SSKM Hospital’s trauma care unit. Despite best efforts by doctors, his injuries proved fatal.
Local sources confirmed that the accident caused panic in the area for a brief period, with passersby rushing to assist before emergency services arrived. The police quickly cleared the highway to prevent traffic congestion, as the accident site lies on a busy corridor connecting Kolkata with South 24 Parganas.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the motorcycle suddenly swerved into the lane of the pilot car, leaving little time for the police driver to react. However, the exact sequence of events is still under review. Officials from the Leather Complex police station, under whose jurisdiction the accident site falls, have started an investigation to ascertain responsibility.
Meanwhile, MLA Shaukat Molla was unharmed as the accident occurred in the vehicle immediately ahead of his. He was travelling in the second car of the convoy. Party sources said he expressed deep grief over the young motorcyclist’s death and extended condolences to the bereaved family.
The incident has once again raised concerns about road safety and convoy movements on congested urban highways, where sudden turns and unpredictable traffic often increase the risks of accidents.
