Nation shocked when young businessman Cyrus Mistry perishes in Maha road accident The police have ordered a probe (Roundup)

By Quaid NajmMumbai 4th September : A well-known industrialist Cyrus P.Mistry, of the multinational Shapoorji Pallonji Group and former Chairman of Tata Sons, was killed in an accident on the Ahmedabad - Mumbai national highway in Maharashtras Palghar on Sunday afternoon.

Mistry 54 is survived by his wife Rohiqa and the two sons of Rohiqa, as well as an older brother Shapoor Mistry and other family members.

Additionally killed in the crash was Jehangir D.Pundole, of the famous Dukes soft drinks and food company as well as the Pundole Art Gallery in Mumbai.A second couple in the vehicle - Pundoles brother Darius D.Pundole and wife Dr.Anahita Darius Pundole - were seriously injured and were rushed to Rainbow Hospital in Vapi in south Gujarat according to an official of Palghar police.The industrialists sudden death comes just two months after the death of his father Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, the Chairman Emeritus of the Group died, aged 93, on the 28th of June in Mumbai.

In a serious manner, the state government has launched an investigation into the incident that shocked the corporate world of the country.The Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who handles the home portfolio Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister who handles the home portfolio, said he has spoken to Director General of Police Rajnish Sheth and demanded a thorough inquiry into the incident.According to Palghar Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Patil, the accident occurred on the national highway between Ahmedabad and Mumbai about 3.15 pm, which is two of hours away from Mumbai "Of the four people in the Mercedes vehicle, two (Mistry and Jehangir Pundole) were declared dead on the spot as well as two other (Darius and his wife Dr.Anahita Pundole) who were seriously injured and transported to Rainbow Hospital in Vapi," he told media persons.Palghar police officials claimed they believed that the Mistry as well as the Pundoles appeared to be the victims of "over-speeding" when the vehicle struck with the full force of a highway divider along the River Surya passing the national highway close to Charoti approximately 105 kms north of Mumbai.

The force of the collision was so strong that, even though the cars airbags were able to open but they were not able to save the occupants of the vehicle - leaving two dead and injuring two others.A the dark-grey Mercedes was severely damaged.

The tragedy was believed to be a double blow to the Pundole brothers (Jehangir and Darius) whos father Dinshaw passed on the same day and they had travelled to carry out the funeral ceremonies in Udwada, an Indian coastal town in south Gujarat although the specifics cannot be found.The police have tentatively classified it an "overspeeding incident" that could have led in the fatal accident, particularly since Palghar and the surrounding areas have been hit with severe rain since the weekend.

The news caused shock waves in Indian corporate as well as political circles.Many were reacting with initially shock and disbelief.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari expressed their grief and shock at the loss and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the death of Mistry is not just a loss to his family, but as well to the nations industrial industry.Nationalist Congress President Sharad Pawar, Congress state and central leaders, Shiv Sena leaders and other top politicians have endorsed the demise of Mistry.

NCP MP Supriya Sule expressed shock over the news on Twitter."Devastating news My brother Cyrus Mistry passed away.I cant believe it.Rest in peace Cyrus." Other state and union ministers and senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party, the business world in India and across the globe have expressed condolences to Mistrys passing.(Quaid Najmi can be reached via [email protected]) .