Why airbags did not open during SUV crash in UP: Mahindra explains

New Delhi: A doctor’s death in accident in Uttar Pradesh while driving Mahindra Scorpio SUV has brought to fore concerns over safety measures in expensive cars sold in the nation.

Dr Apoorv Mishra was at the wheels driving from Kanpur to Lucknow on January 14, 2022 when he met with an accident that killed him, according to NDTV.

His father Rajesh Mishra, who had gifted him the car, had an FIR filed against Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra and 12 others alleging malfunction of the airbags.

Despite having the seatbelt fastened, the airbag did not deploy leading to Mishra’s death, according to the report.

The charges that are brought against the accused include cheating, criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide from causing death by negligence.

After many questioned the safety features of the car that costs almost Rs 20 lakhs, Mahindra said that car had have airbags

However, the company officials reportedly claimed that airbags had not deployed as it was a ‘case of vehicle rollover’.

‘It was alleged that the vehicle did not have airbags. We would hence like to categorically reconfirm that the Scorpio S9 variant manufactured in 2020 did have airbags. We have investigated and there was no malfunction of the airbags. It was a rollover case which would not deploy the frontal airbags," a press statement by the company reportedly said.

Claiming that the group had carried out technical investigation, the statement further said that as the matter is now sub judice the company is committed to cooperate with the authorities.

The company extended its ‘deepest condolences’ to the deceased’s family.