AGRA: A man who met with an
accident
earlier this week would have survived, in all likelihood, had the bystanders helped him reach a medical facility instead of
looting
his money.
A video circulating on social media, showing a crowd purportedly looting Rs 1.5 lakh in cash from
Dharmendra
Kumar Gupta (46), a critically-injured Agra-based businessman, has been eliciting shocked responses.
The 47-second video has also drawn the attention of cops who said they are going to file an FIR in the matter.
The incident pertains to Tuesday, when a speeding truck collided with around 20 vehicles on the Agra-Delhi national highway, resulting in the death of three individuals including Dharmendra, a milk trader who was returning home from Mathura on his motorcycle. He was carrying a bag that had around Rs 1.5 lakh in cash, as per his family.
In the video which surfaced on Sunday, some bystanders surrounding Dharmendra at the accident site can be heard debating whether to hand over the money to the police, keep it for themselves, or help him. A few individuals - saying 'utha lo, paisa utha lo' (take the money first) - can be seen stuffing their bags with wads of cash.
His brother Mahendra said, "When Dharmendra did not return home we went searching for him and found his damaged bike. His bag was lying open nearby, but there was no money in it. His wallet was also missing." He added that the family called the police and was informed that Dharmendra had been taken to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead. He added, " It would have been acceptable if the people who took the money also helped him get treatment. They should have tried to take him to a hospital ." DCP Suraj Kumar Rai said, "We have taken cognisance of the video. An FIR will be registered based on the complaint moved by the family members of the deceased."
This incident comes after a similar situation on December 27 last year, where a crowd took advantage of a pile-up on the national highway connecting Agra with Firozabad. They looted birds worth Rs 2.5 lakh from a chicken-laden loader that was damaged in the incident even as the distressed driver kept shouting for help.
English (US) ·