Questions remain a week after Nagpur teen Zidan's death in crash on Maharashtra-MP border

Nagpur: The mystery over the death of Zidan alias Rehan Imtiyaz Ali, an 18-year-old promising student, in suspicious circumstances remains unresolved more than a week later. Many questions about the road accident on the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh border are still unanswered. Who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, how many people were in it, and who were the other students injured along with Zidan? There is still no clarity on these questions. Meanwhile, political allegations and counter-allegations have intensified, but the grief of the Ali family, which has lost its young son, and its hope for justice have been lost in the political noise. The family, who regard Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as their ideal, say no one is listening to their anguish. Meanwhile, influential people who publicise even small matters on social media have kept silent on the pre-birthday party.

Zidan died in the accident on the Khawasa-Turia road on the night of November 4. Three to four other students, including Yatharth, son of BJP MLA Parinay Phuke, were reported to have been injured. Zidan had set out with friends of his own age for a jungle safari and a pre-birthday party. The accident involved a vehicle owned by MLA Parinay Phuke, registration number MH/40/AH/7222. A dispute over who was driving has arisen since the accident. It is alleged that the MLA's son was at the wheel, while the Phuke family claims a driver was driving. What the truth is will become clear only after an investigation.

Friends insisted he skip studies for the party

According to sources, a pre-birthday party was held on November 4 at a resort in Turia, Madhya Pradesh. At around 2 pm, the MLA's son and some of his friends came to Zidan's home in Corporation Colony to pick him up. Zidan was preparing for the CLAT exam, scheduled for November 15. Because his preparation was incomplete, his family tried to stop him from going to the party, but gave in to his friends' insistence. After leaving Nagpur, they all reached the resort in Turia. After cutting a cake and having snacks, the party went on. At about 9.30 pm, Zidan made a video call to his parents and showed them the resort. During the conversation he said his friends were calling him for photographs, and that he would call again shortly. But moments later, the accident happened. When no call came for a long time, his elder brother Ishan tried to reach Zidan. When he could not get through, he phoned Zidan's friend Vasu, who answered in tears and told him about the accident. His parents then set out for the spot. Before that, Zidan's father had phoned an acquaintance who runs a hotel near the resort and asked him to go to the site.

Details of injured students also unclear

The biggest question is how many people were in the vehicle during the accident and who the three or four injured students besides Zidan are. Their names, the nature of their injuries and details of their treatment have not been made public. Sources close to the family are also raising questions as clear information has not emerged. According to Zidan's close friends, he was a disciplined and promising student with no addictions. He took an active part in several academic activities, including Youth Parliament. An impartial investigation is therefore necessary into what happened at the party, in what circumstances the vehicle crashed and what happened immediately after the accident.

Postmortem report awaited, questions over police probe

After the accident, Zidan was brought to a private hospital in Nagpur, where doctors declared him dead. On the hospital's information, Sadar police registered a case of accidental death and transferred the case to Madhya Pradesh Police for further investigation. But more than a week on, the postmortem report has not surfaced and the progress of the investigation has not been made public, raising questions. It is still unclear what points Madhya Pradesh Police are investigating, who was driving, what the actual cause of the accident was, and whether statements of all those present at the party have been recorded.

Ali family alone amid political clout

Political allegations and counter-allegations have also gained momentum in the case. As the matter is linked to the family of an MLA from the ruling side, political circles are abuzz with talk. The Ali family, meanwhile, has not recovered from the deep shock of losing its young son. The father, Imtiyaz, is in the property dealing business. Besides Zidan, the family has an elder son, Ishan, 20. The untimely death of their son has left father Imtiyaz and mother Uzma devastated. People close to the family say that, although many know about the matter, they are avoiding speaking openly after Zidan's death. The presence of politically influential people weighs heavily on them.

The question is not only about a road accident but about bringing out the whole truth of the death of a promising young man. Who was at the wheel of the vehicle? Where are the other students present at the party? What happened after the accident? What did the postmortem report show? Not only the Ali family but the whole city wants answers. Beyond political statements, what is needed now is an impartial, transparent and time-bound investigation, so that the truth about Zidan's death can emerge and his family can hope for justice.