Uttar Pradesh : A tragic road accident on the Yamuna Expressway not only claimed multiple lives but also brought to light an incident of alleged exploitation by a private ambulance service. A senior BJP leader, Akhilendra Pratap Yadav, lost his life in the accident, and his grieving family was reportedly charged an excessive amount for transporting his body. The issue later drew the attention of district authorities, resulting in a full refund and administrative intervention.
The fatal incident occurred on Tuesday morning on the Yamuna Expressway under conditions of dense fog, which significantly reduced visibility. Akhilendra Pratap Yadav was traveling by car when it collided with another vehicle. After the initial collision, he stepped out of the car to assess the damage. Tragically, a bus approaching from behind failed to stop in time and rammed into the vehicle, crushing him between the bus and his car. He died on the spot.
The accident proved catastrophic, as a total of 19 people lost their lives in the incident. Emergency services were deployed, and the bodies of the victims were sent to a mortuary for post-mortem examinations as per standard procedure.
Akhilendra Pratap Yadav was a resident of Prayagraj and a well-known figure in regional political circles. He was considered a close associate of Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna. On Monday, a day before the accident, Yadav had traveled to Prayagraj to offer condolences at the residence of Cabinet Minister Girish Chandra Yadav following a bereavement in the minister’s family.
Later, he proceeded towards Delhi with the intention of congratulating Nitin Navin, who had recently been appointed as the BJP national working president. This journey ultimately ended in the fatal accident on the expressway.
Following the accident, Yadav’s body was to be transported from Mathura to Prayagraj. The family arranged a private ambulance for this purpose. According to a formal complaint submitted by the family, the ambulance driver demanded Rs 17,500 as transport charges before beginning the journey.
Faced with an emotionally distressing situation and limited immediate options, the family transferred Rs 5,000 to the driver’s mobile phone at once. They assured the driver that the remaining amount would be paid upon reaching Prayagraj. As stated in the complaint, the balance payment was later made as promised.
The family alleged that the demand was unreasonable and exploitative, especially given the circumstances under which the service was sought.
After the family filed a complaint, the matter reached the office of the Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue), Dr Pankaj Kumar Verma, on Wednesday. Taking cognizance of the allegations, Dr Verma assured the family that appropriate action would be taken and that efforts would be made to recover the full amount charged by the ambulance service.
District officials conducted an inquiry into the matter and coordinated with the concerned parties. Their intervention led to the recovery of the entire amount collected from the family.
On Thursday, officials confirmed that the full sum of Rs 17,500 had been refunded to the family of the deceased BJP leader. Dr Pankaj Kumar Verma publicly acknowledged the incident and stated that the money taken from the family had been returned in full.
The case has sparked discussions around the regulation of private ambulance services, ethical conduct during emergencies, and the need for stricter monitoring to prevent exploitation of victims’ families during times of crisis.
This incident highlights serious concerns regarding emergency service accountability, especially during accidents involving fatalities. While swift administrative action provided relief in this case, it also underscores the importance of transparent pricing, government oversight, and public awareness when dealing with private medical transport services.
The tragic loss of lives on the Yamuna Expressway and the subsequent controversy serve as a reminder that compassion and responsibility must guide actions during emergencies, particularly when families are at their most vulnerable.
