Jalaj Dhir, the 18-year-old son of filmmaker Ashwani Dhir, was killed in a road accident in Bombay in the early morning hours of November 23. He was on a joyride with three other friends. One more friend also died in the accident.
Sahil Mendha, the friend who was driving the car, was reportedly drunk and was speeding at 120-150 mph. He lost control of the car at Vile Parle, causing it to collide with the divider between the service road and the bridge on the North-bound side, resulting in the death of Jalaj and his friend, Sarthak Kaushik.
The Vile Parle police arrested Sahil Mendha. The other friend, Jedan Jimmy, complained to the police.
The four friends assembled at Jalaj Dhir’s house at Goregaon East and played video games till around 3.30 a.m. in the night. They then went to Bandra on a long drive and, after picking up snacks from Sigdi restaurant at Bandra, they sat in the car and started their return journey to Goregaon East around 4.10 a.m. At Vile Parle, near the Sahara Star Hotel on the highway, Sahil allegedly got confused about whether to take the service road or the bridge. In his confusion, he lost control of the car and crashed into the divider between the service road and the bridge. While Sahil and Jimmy sustained minor injuries, Jalaj and Sarthak, who were both seated in the rear seats, were badly injured. Jimmy Jedan, with the help of two bystanders, transported Jalaj to the trauma hospital at Jogeshwari East and from there, shifted him to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital where doctors declared him dead. Sarthak was rushed by Sahil to Bhabha Hospital (at Bandra West), where doctors pronounced him dead after an examination.
The Vile Parle police registered a case against Sahil Mendha under various sections of the Motor Vehicle Act.
The prayer meeting of Jalaj Dhir was held today (26th) in his building, Oberoi Exquisite, Goregaon East.