Inquiry into Pranab's accident is expected tomorrow:Home Secretary

Kolkata, Apr 9 (UNI) The report of the official probe into the cause of the accident of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Satuday night in Nadia district, will be sent to the Union Home Ministry in New Delhi by tomorrow, West Bengal Home Secretary Prasad Ranjan Roy said here today.

Speaking to newspersons about the inquiry, being conducted by Nadia Superintendent of Police H K Kusum Kumar, Mr Roy said after the report was handed over to the state government by tomorrow, it would be sent to Delhi immediately for necessary action.

When his attention was drawn to the non-availability of ambulance in Mr Mukherjee's convoy, the Home Secretary said it was not mandatory.

As per the present rule, presence of a well-equipped ambulance was mandatory only in the convoys of the President, the Prime Minister and the heads of foreign countries, Mr Roy confirmed and said, however, the matter was being looked into.

Incidentally, the state government had ordered a high-level inquiry after a loaded truck swerved out of control following a deflated tyre and collided with the car in which Mr Mukherjee and state Congress General Secretary Manas Bhunia were travelling on April 7 night on National Highway 34 near Bethuadahari in Nadia district, about 100 km from here, injuring both of them as well as the car driver and personal security guard.

But in the absence of any ambulance in the convoy, the profusely bleeding External Affairs Minister, who received head injuries and received 12 stitches later, had to be taken to a nearby Primary Health Centre in a rickshaw for treatment. This has brought to the fore several questions about the fool-proof security of the VVIP, which was the primary responsibility of the local government.

The state Congress leaders also questioned the role of the Pilot car of Mr Mukherjee's convoy as it went far ahead when the accident occurred.

UNI