Car crash victims protest 'lavish attention' to Hema Malini

Family members of a toddler who died in an accident involving MP Hema Malini’s vehicle in Rajasthan’s Dausa, on Friday accused the administration of lavishing all their attention on the VIP while ignoring the other injured.

Two-year-old Sonam died when the MP’s Mercedes car hit an Alto in which she was travelling with her parents and siblings late on Thursday night.

Sonam’s father Hanuman Khandelwal (31), his wife Shikha (26), son Somil (4) and sister-in-law Seema (45) also suffered injuries of varying degrees in the accident which left actor-turned-politician Hema Malini with injuries on her nose and forehead.

While the MP, 66, is undergoing treatment at the Fortis Hospital in Jaipur, 60 km from Dausa, the others were shifted to the SMS Hospital, also in the state capital.

Anguished family members of the Khandelwals said prompt medical aid to the injured could have saved the life of Sonam.

"Two kinds of treatment are being given to victims of the same accident. Hema Malini was immediately taken to the Fortis Hospital, while our family-members were sent to Sawai Man Singh Hospital, where treatment was given very late," said Rajiv Gupta, a relative of Khandelwal.

"Our only pain is that the treatment is not of the same quality that is being extended to the MP," he said.

Hema Malini's Mercedes rammed into an Alto. (HT Photo)

Sunita Koolwal, a relative of Shikha, too echoed the same sentiments saying that they were disappointed by "step-motherly treatment" extended to the injured family.

She alleged that while the Mathura MP was taken by road immediately after the accident, the other five were left behind.SMS hospital medical superintendent Man Prakash Sharma said four of the injured were brought to the hospital at different time of the night –11:30pm on Thursday, and 3am and 4am on Friday.

State health minister Rajendra Rathore paid a visit to the hospital on Thursday night while chief minister Vasundhara Raje called on the injured on Friday morning.

Watch: Hema Malini injured, one minor killed in Dausa road accident

Sources in the hospital said she directed the hospital authorities to provide the "best possible treatment" to the injured family-members.

Gupta also said while the priority at the moment was recovery of the injured, he added that the government must also provide compensation to the family.

"Hanuman is the sole earning member and he runs a business. It would take at least 6-8 months for him to lead a normal life. The government should provide compensation as per rules," he added.

On Friday morning, police arrested the driver of the BJP MP Mahesh Thakur on charges of rash driving and causing death by negligence, besides others.

The MP was returning to Jaipur after a visit to the Mehendipur Balaji temple in Karauli district when the accident took place at the Lalsot bypass on the highway.

Read: