A Kanpur court has ordered the registration of a First Information Report against billionaire Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd., following the death of an individual in an accident involving the company’s Scorpio multi-utility vehicle.
KANPUR/UP/India (India CSR): Anand Mahindra, along with thirteen employees of Mahindra & Mahindra, is facing serious legal repercussions in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, following allegations of selling Scorpio SUVs without operational airbags, leading to fatal accidents. The allegations include claims of fraud and deceptive business practices by the prominent industrialist and his company.
“The case is over 18 months old, and the said incident happened in January 2022.”, the company informed India CSR.
Case Registered under Multiple IPC Sections
The case has been registered by the police under IPC Sections 420, pertaining to cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property; 287, associated with negligent conduct with respect to machinery; 304-A, relating to causing death by negligence; 504, covering intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace; 506, concerning criminal intimidation; and 120-B, involving criminal conspiracy.
The Complaint
Serious Allegations Leveled
The complainant, Rajesh Mishra, a resident of Juhi, has accused Mahindra & Mahindra of selling him a Scorpio SUV lacking functional airbags, leading to the demise of his only son, Dr. Apoorva Mishra. He alleges that the company’s fraudulent practices and defective vehicle directly contributed to his son’s tragic accident on his return to Sekanpur.
“It was alleged that the vehicle did not have airbags. We would hence like to categorically reconfirm that the Scorpio S9 variant manufactured in 2020 did have airbags. We have investigated and there was no malfunction of the airbags. It was a rollover case that would not deploy the frontal airbags. A detailed technical investigation was completed by our teams in October 2022.”, the company further informed India CSR.
Purchase and Advertisement
Misleading Information Alleged
Mishra states that he purchased the SUV after careful consideration of the features advertised and explained by the company, including assurances seen in advertisements featuring Anand Mahindra on social media. The black Scorpio, bought for Rs. 17.39 lakh from Tirupati Auto on 2 December 2020, was a gift to his son.
The Tragedy
Fatal Incident Spurs Action
After the fatal accident, attributed to foggy conditions and an unfortunate collision with a divider, Mishra approached Tirupati Auto to inform them about the vehicle’s defects and the non-deployment of the airbag, despite his son wearing the seatbelt. Mishra asserts that proper checks on the car would have prevented his son’s untimely death.
Alleged Harassment
Post-Complaint Tensions Ris
Post-complaint, tensions escalated, with Mishra alleging that the company’s management, under directives from higher-ups, subjected him and his family to harassment, abuse, and even death threats, as reported by Live Hindustan.
Legal Proceedings
Investigations Underway
Mishra has initiated legal proceedings against Anand Mahindra and 13 others at Raipurwa police station through the court. The officer in charge confirmed that a meticulous technical inspection of the car is forthcoming to discern the validity of the lodged complaints.
“The matter is currently sub judice and we are committed to cooperating with the authorities for any further investigation that is required. We completely empathise with the family and offer our deepest condolences to them in their grief.”, the company informed.
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(Copyright @ India CSR)
