Innocent Life Lost: Three-Year-Old Crushed by Bus in Borivali East

In a heartbreaking incident that unfolded on Monday afternoon, a three-year-old girl lost her life after being run over by a BEST bus in Borivali East, Mumbai. The accident occurred around 12:40 PM, near the Borivali East bus stop, as the bus was en route to the Magathane Bus Depot. According to police reports, the toddler, identified as Mahek Khatun Shaikh, was crossing the road with her 5-year-old brother when the unfortunate event took place. While her brother escaped unharmed, Mahek was fatally struck by the bus.

The driver, Prakash Digambar, 48, stated during questioning that he was taking a turn when the child suddenly came in front of the vehicle, leaving him with little time to react or apply the brakes. A police officer confirmed that the girl was crushed under the wheel of the bus. The incident has sparked grief and concern among local residents, raising fresh questions about pedestrian safety and traffic awareness in busy suburban areas.

The Kasturba Marg police promptly transported Mahek Shaikh to Shatabdi Hospital following the accident, but doctors declared her dead on arrival. Further investigation revealed that the bus, though carrying passengers, did not have a conductor on board at the time of the incident — a lapse that may have contributed to the tragedy.

The driver, Prakash Digambar, has been booked under Sections 106(1) (causing death by negligence) and 281 (dangerous driving or riding on a public way) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. This heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need for stricter adherence to safety protocols, including the presence of conductors on public buses, and heightened awareness to ensure pedestrian safety, especially for young children.