New Delhi, Mar 8 (DHNS): Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani landed in fresh row on Monday after the family of a doctor killed in a road accident on the Yamuna Expressway claimed that she ignored their pleas for help.

According to Sandali Nagar, the 15-year-old daughter of Dr Ramesh Nagar, her father died on Saturday night after the minister’s cavalcade hit their motorcycle from behind.“I did ask her for help, but she completely refused to help us and said she could help us afterward also. Smriti Irani could have helped us. Had she helped (us), probably our father would not have died,” a news agency quoted Sandali as saying.

She also said that they requested Smriti to help shift their father to hospital. “She came out of her vehicle and then went back inside and left,” Sandali added. The minister, however, maintained that the vehicle that hit the bike had “nothing to do” with her cavalcade.

Issuing a statement, the minister’s office clarified that she had directed Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mathura to arrange ambulance immediately so that the injured could be given medical treatment “at the earliest.”

“The accident happened on Yamuna Expressway on late night of 5th March 2016, which has mentioned that the vehicle with registration number (DL 3C BA 5315 - Honda City) has allegedly hit a biker. It is clarified here under that this vehicle has nothing to do with HRD Minister’s cavalcade,” Smriti’s office issued a statement, countering the claims of Sandali.

Sandali’s brother Abhishek said that a family from Delhi helped them call an ambulance, but by that time their father had succumbed to his injuries.

Dr Nagar along with Sandali and his nephew Pankaj were on their way to attend a marriage function when a speeding car hit them from behind. While Sandali and Pankaj sustained some injuries, Dr Nagar died on the spot. Smriti had tweeted on Saturday that she escaped with minor injuries in the incident. She tweeted on Saturday night that her car had met with an accident and that she was safe and medical help was provided to the victims.

The minister was on her way to Delhi after attending a meeting of the BJP youth wing at Mathura when the mishap occurred. A case in this regard had been registered at Mant police station in Mathura district.

Meanwhile, SSP Mathura Rakesh Singh also told mediapersons that the minister’s car did not hit Dr Nagar’s motorcycle. “The bike was hit by a Honda City (car). Two other cars also hit it. Then came Smriti Irani’s pilot car. The minister reached the spot 7-8 minutes after the accident. She got out and called our control room for help,” he said.

According to media reports, Manoj Chopra, an eyewitness who was referred to as the ‘Good Samaritan’ by Smriti in her tweets said that a Honda City car in which the Union minister was travelling rammed into other cars.

“Then she had come and was in action. She called top officials. Within 10 minutes, the ambulance arrived at that spot,” he added.