Madurai: Madurai district police, accused of delaying FIRs in crimes against women and SC/ST communities, now face allegations of failing to name an accused in a road accident in which 70-year-old tribal woman S Dollar lost all toes on her right foot.
Superintendent of police N Devanathan did not respond to queries on why Karuppayurani police had not registered an FIR in the 2025 accident. We could barely understand what was happening and signed the papers without reading what had been written,” said Dollar’s daughter Sankareshwari, 38. Under Tamil Nadu’s chief minister’s accident relief fund, permanent disability or grievous injury attracts Rs 50,000, with relief sanctioned by revenue authorities following police recommendation.
Sankareshwari said the family later returned to the police station, but officers told them no action could be taken against the driver as they could not trace him. “I also sell beads for a living, and caring for my elderly mother on my own has become difficult,” she said. “Karuppayurani police obtained our signatures on the complaint while hospital staff were treating my mother’s wounds and she was in severe pain. Registering the case would also help the family pursue a plea with Motor Accident Claims Tribunal against the transport corporation.
On Monday, she submitted a petition to district collector Nishant Krishna, seeking a case against the driver so the family could pursue compensation for Dollar’s disability.
Dollar, from the Narikurava community, sells beads and safety pins and was waiting at Appar School bus stop on July 22 to reach Periyar bus stand. Her family said she slipped while boarding city bus TN-58-N-2044 amid a rush, as students crowded the entrance and hung from the footboard while the vehicle moved. The rear wheel ran over Dollar’s right foot, crushing her toes and leaving her bleeding on the road before bystanders called a 108 ambulance.
She was taken to Govt Rajaji Hospital, where doctors recommended surgery and amputated the damaged toes, they said.