Preliminary investigations suggest Gatthaghar accident was ill-fated

Kathmandu, August 19 - Two investigation committees are examining the August 15 accident in Gatthaghar, Bhaktapur, where a truck collided with a scooter, resulting in the death of Uttam Koirala from Chisankhugadhi Rural Municipality-4, Okhaldhunga.

In response to public criticism over the accident, which was alleged to be due to unscientific traffic checks, both the Valley Police Office and the District Administration Office of Bhaktapur formed separate committees. The committee led by SP Prajit KC from the Valley Police Office has completed its investigation and is preparing to submit its report on Tuesday.

The second committee, headed by Assistant Chief District Officer Dorendra Niraula, began its investigation on Sunday. This committee includes DSP Rajan Karki from the District Police Range Bhaktapur and a mechanical engineer.

The accident occurred when the scooter, numbered Ba. 49 Pa 8944, was struck by a rental truck, number 6 Ba 2173. Preliminary findings from both committees suggest the incident may have been "fated." The Niraula-led committee reviewed CCTV footage of the accident site and interviewed the truck driver. The mechanical engineer on the committee reported that the truck did not require a mechanical inspection, stating, "The truck is in good condition and does not need further testing."

The footage shows the truck propelling the scooter several meters. It appears that the traffic police did not intervene at the scene. The investigation has included questioning Satendra Shrestha, 32, the truck driver from Sarlahi, who claimed he was unaware of hitting the scooter until he checked his mirrors.

Additionally, the committee led by SP KC questioned the driver of a vehicle behind the truck, who also stated he did not see the scooter until after the collision.

Dorendra Niraula, the committee head, confirmed that the investigation began on Sunday and is expected to be completed within a week. He stated, "We will finalize the investigation and submit our report within the week."

Protesters have alleged that the scooter was stopped by traffic police and subsequently hit by a speeding truck. However, AIG Kiran Bajracharya from the Valley Police Office noted that the investigation did not confirm this claim. The Niraula-led committee also preliminarily concluded that the traffic police were not at fault in the accident, with a committee member stating, "The traffic police were not involved in causing the accident."