Iskcon accident case: Injured survivor testifies against Tathya Patel in Ahmedabad court

An injured survivor of the Iskcon Bridge accident, in which accused Tathya Patel is charged with driving a Jaguar at 141.27 km/h and killing nine people, delivered a detailed and harrowing testimony before the Ahmedabad Rural Court on Tuesday.

Eyewitness Mizan Irfan Bhadbhuja, who sustained severe injuries, described the moments leading up to the crash and its aftermath, saying the car was travelling at such extreme speed that “human remains were stuck on the bonnet and surrounding parts of the vehicle”. He added that had he not become lodged under the rear tyre, the death toll “could have been even higher”.

Crowd gathered at earlier crash before Jaguar hit

Mizan said that on the night of the incident, a Thar had crashed on the Iskcon Bridge, drawing a crowd of onlookers. He and his friends were among those who stopped to see the accident site. Around midnight, a white Jaguar approached “at tremendous speed”, lost control and ploughed into the people standing near the Thar.

According to his account, he was run over and “first crushed under the front wheel” before being dragged until he became trapped under the rear tyre. His friends located him after hearing his screams. He told the court he saw several people lying motionless on the road after the impact.

Witness recalls who stepped out of the Jaguar

Mizan stated that three to four individuals emerged from the Jaguar immediately after the collision. It was then that he learned the driver was Tathya Patel. People at the scene detained Tathya, and the accused reportedly said that his father was on the way. Mizan said multiple victims were lying in critical or lifeless condition at that time.

Multiple surgeries and long recovery for survivor

He was first taken to Sola Civil Hospital and later shifted by his family to a private hospital. He has undergone three surgeries on his left leg and one on his right, with another pending. Mizan continues to struggle with sitting, standing and overall mobility due to the extent of his injuries.

Questions arise over custody lapse and ambulance delay

During the hearing, Mizan said police had detained Tathya at the scene, but his father, Pragnesh Patel, later managed to take him away to the hospital. This discrepancy prompted questions in court about how the accused was allowed to leave police custody and whether any lapse or special treatment occurred.

He also noted that although 108 emergency ambulances usually arrive quickly, the ambulance that night reached almost half an hour late.

Witness identifies accused via video link

Towards the end of the hearing, the prosecution asked Mizan if he could identify the accused. He said he could. When prompted by the court, he scanned the courtroom and then identified Tathya through the video-conference screen, stating that the man wearing a cap and a blue shirt was Tathya Patel.