Overview

• Kasturbhabai Chavan, a 60-year-old pavement dweller, died after a Mercedes chauffeur offered her tea then accelerated into her on Aug. 14 in Bandra West
• Police charged driver Jeeva Ramchandra Munecha under sections for death by negligence, rash driving and dangerous driving under the Motor Vehicles Act
• Authorities dispatched Munecha’s blood and toxicology samples for forensic testing to determine whether impairment played a role
• Conflicting reports over the chauffeur’s custody—arrested according to some accounts or released on notice according to others—have raised questions about police procedure
• Chavan’s sons have expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the case and are pursuing a private settlement with the driver