Billionaire businessman Cyrus Mistry, who was a descendant of Shapoorji Pallonji Group and a former head of Tata Sons, and his close friend died in a road accident in Balghar district of Maharashtra on Sunday.
Besides Mistry, the other victim was Jahangir Bandol, whose family were among the founders of the Duke beverage brand.
Mistry and Bandol died instantly, according to eyewitnesses.
Other occupants of the car are Darius Bandol, Jehangir’s brother, MD and CEO of JM Financial Asset Management Ltd and his wife Anahita Bandol, a gynecologist at Breach Candy Hospital and fertility expert.
The accident occurred at around 3.30 pm when they were both riding a Mercedes and collided with a barrier along the Surya River on the Mumbai Ahmedabad Expressway – about 100 km from Mumbai.
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“There were four people inside the car, two of them died on the spot and two were taken to the hospital. Panchnama has been investigated,” said Baljar, Police Director Balachhab Patel, adding that he will do so. Be able to comment only after the autopsy report.
Balghar police have registered a death report as a result of an accident and investigations are still ongoing.
Reports stated that it was a case of speeding, however, awaiting an official transcript from the police.
When asked why, he said, “Our team of experts and people are working from RTO… Only then will we be able to comment on anything or clarify the reasons.”
Anahita Bandol was on wheels when the accident happened and the victims were in the back seats. Air bags appeared as well, but the collapse was devastating.
The bodies of Mistry and Bandol were taken to the sub-district hospital in Kasa, while the Bandol couple were taken to the Rainbow Hospital in Vapi in Gujarat, where they are undergoing treatment.
The body will be taken to Sir JJ Hospital in Mumbai for an autopsy, after which it will be handed over to the families.
Mistrys and Pandoles are friends of the family.
The Pandole brothers lost their father, Dinshaw Pandole, last week.
They went to Udvada in Valsad district over the weekend where they visited the fire temple of Iranshah Atash Bahram to take part in the post-funeral rites. The accident occurred during the return flight.
The Maharashtra government has ordered an investigation into the incident and requested a detailed report from the Balghar Police.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the House portfolio, spoke to Director General of Police Rajneesh Seth and asked for a detailed investigation. “It was an unfortunate accident in Balghar, I spoke to the PSD and asked for detailed investigations,” he said.
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