Mumbai: A 70-year-old man booked for drunk driving following a minor road accident in Andheri was not under the influence of alcohol but had actually suffered a stroke, police investigation has confirmed.
Sharad Kadam, the man, had to remain at the police station for several hours before receiving medical help. He was later admitted to hospital.
Kadam was detained on July 25 after his car allegedly brushed against two vehicles near Seven Bungalows in Andheri (West). He struggled to speak when taken to the Versova police station. He also failed to blow into the breathalyser device despite multiple attempts, and as he seemed to be under the influence of alcohol, a case was registered against him under the relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, a police officer said.
Kadam was kept at the police station for hours until a relative noticed his deteriorating physical condition. A CT scan conducted at Cooper Hospital later that evening revealed that Kadam had suffered a minor stroke. He was then shifted to Nanavati Hospital for specialised treatment, officials said.
Kadam, who lives alone in Andheri while his wife and son reside abroad, is a distant relative of a BJP leader. The leader later raised the issue of the alleged delay in providing him medical aid.
Following the controversy, senior officials formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police. The probe concluded that Kadam was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, the official said.
