Mahindra Claims 'No Malfunction Of The Airbags' in U.P. Man's Death Case| Details

In response to an FIR (First Information Report) filed against Anand Mahindra, the chairman of the Mahindra Group, and a dozen others in connection with a tragic incident in Uttar Pradesh, the company has firmly dismissed allegations of an airbag malfunction in the Scorpio SUV involved in the unfortunate accident.

As per reports, on that fateful day of January 14, 2022, Dr. Apoorv Mishra was behind the wheel, embarking on a journey from Kanpur to Lucknow. Tragically, he met with an accident that cost him his life, despite diligently fastening his seatbelt. To add to the tragedy, the airbag failed to deploy.

The grieving father of Dr. Mishra, Rajesh Mishra, who had gifted his son the SUV, contended that the vehicle was devoid of airbags. He held the automaker accountable for the loss of his beloved son and took legal action. In compliance with a court's directive, an FIR was registered, listing Anand Mahindra and a dozen other company executives as accused. The charges ranged from cheating and criminal conspiracy to causing death by negligence, without culpable homicide.

These allegations not only stirred public concern but also ignited a fervent debate about the safety features of a car with a hefty price tag of nearly ₹20 lakh.

Mahindra, however, has come forth to clarify that the SUV did, in fact, come equipped with airbags. The failure of the airbags to deploy was attributed to the unique nature of the accident, which involved a rollover.

As per media reports, in a candid press statement, Mahindra & Mahindra asserted, "Mahindra & Mahindra wishes to set the record straight concerning an FIR filed on September 23, 2023. The case, dating back over 18 months, pertains to an incident in January 2022. Allegations were made regarding the absence of airbags in the vehicle. We wish to emphatically reconfirm that the Scorpio S9 variant, manufactured in 2020, was indeed equipped with airbags. A thorough investigation was conducted, revealing no malfunction of the airbags. It was determined that the incident involved a rollover, which would not trigger the deployment of the frontal airbags."

The company also revealed that its dedicated teams had conducted a meticulous technical inquiry in October of the preceding year.

With legal proceedings currently underway, Mahindra & Mahindra has expressed unwavering commitment to collaborating with the authorities for any further investigations deemed necessary. They have extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

In recent years, discussions surrounding automobile safety features and craftsmanship have gained substantial traction in India. This heightened awareness has prompted the government to enact stringent safety regulations. These deliberations have been underscored by India's staggering road accident statistics, with the nation recording an alarming 4 lakh road accidents in 2021. A government report published in December 2022 unveiled the sobering fact that 1.5 lakh individuals lost their lives in road accidents, translating to a heart-wrenching 18 deaths every hour.