Nita Ambani’s driver, on Saturday, was taken under custody by the police for driving a Honda CRV into Matheran, which has been declared as an eco-sensitive zone by the government in February 2003. This is done to ensure that the rich biodiversity of Matheran is completely protected.
Nita, wife of Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) Mukesh Ambani, was inside the car that was being driven by Sudhir Narayan Shinde, the police officials affirmed. After the driver was held for breaking the rules, Nita Ambani was accompanied back to Neral by the Reliance officials.
It is mandatory for visitors in Matheran to leave their cars at the Dasturi Point and either walk or ride a horse or take the hand-pulled rickshaw for covering the 2.5 km long distance to reach the Matheran city centre. A toy train from Neral in Navi Mumbai can also be taken to reach Matheran.
Nita Ambani’s car was initially stopped from entering the dirt track which is a restricted zone. Sudhir Shinde, the driver, has been held due to his non-cognisable to the Environment Protection Act in Matheran and other sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. If the accused is found guilty then he may be given maximum imprisonment of five years along with a fine of Rs. 5 lacs.
Param Bir Singh, Inspector General of Police, Konkan region, said "The driver ignored him and sped past till the vehicle was stopped at a police checkpoint ahead on the road. The driver, Sudhir Narain, got into an argument with the policemen on duty and was taken to Matheran police station along with the car which was registered under RIL's name."
He further added that the driver was held for forcibly entering the restricted area. According to the Driver’s statement Nita Ambani was present in the car when the incident occurred. The complaint was registered by the forest officials under section 15 of the Environment Protection Act. It is also registered under the Motor Vehicles Act by the Superintendent of Police, R. D. Shinde, of Matheran.
R. D. Shinde said “The vehicle has been detained pending investigations for verification to find out who is the owner of the vehicle, who as per the Environment Protection Act requires to be booked too." Further, Param Bir Singh said the case has been registered and the driver has been taken in custody and the investigation is going on.
