Jamshedpur, July 24: More than eight months have passed since the death of her husband, but Kaushalya Majhian, the widow of Lakhi Ram Majhi, is still awaiting for justice and compensation.

On November 6, 2007, 45-year-old Lakhi was killed by a speeding bus (JHO5A-2480) at Jaida under Chandil police station area in Seraikela-Kharsawan, while he was returning from a JMM rally. The bus that hit Majhi was also carrying JMM supporters.

Despite an FIR and eight months of wait, no charge sheet have been filed as yet. Nor have the police got hold of the inspection report issued by the Motor Vehicle inspector (MVI) regarding the case.

In absence of the MVI report and prosecution’s failure, Kaushalya is running from pillar to post for her insurance claim. Allegations are rife of “some key JMM functionaries” trying to hush up the case by trying to influence police.

A distant relative of JMM president Shibu Soren, Kaushalya, has been making frantic efforts to get through protocol so that she may get her deserved compensation, according to the government provision.

“That evening a man informed me that my husband had been hit by a speeding bus and that he was injured. I was also told that his co-travellers had taken him to Tata Main Hospital. I went there. Three days later he succumbed to his injuries,” said Kaushalya, her eyes moist.

She adds that though police seized the bus, as well as her husband’s scooter, and had registered a case, they are yet to complete formalities.

“They did not arrest the driver or the bus owner. The police did not get the MVI report and I cannot get compensation from the insurance company as long as the protocol is not over. I later came to know that the police had identified the driver. He did not have a licence. But despite my request and despite JMM leaders’ request, they are yet to take any action,” said Kaushalya.

The widow even travelled to Bokaro to meet Shibu Soren in May this year but despite his assurance, her problems were not sorted out.

Jogeswar Besra, a close relative of Kaushalya, said a few months after Lakhi Ram was killed, four activists of Jharkhand Vikash Morcha from Ghatshila were killed in a similar accident in Ranchi while returning from a party rally.

“JVM boss Babulal Marandi not only visited their homes in Ghatshila, but he also paid dependants a compensation of Rs 1 lakh each. In this case, the JMM chief did not feel the need to ensure the security of a widowed woman,” said Besra.

Sub-inspector and officer in charge of Chandil police station Dhananjay Singh, in his defence, said that his hands were tied.

“The bus that hit the two-wheeler belongs to 10 owners, all beneficiaries of the district welfare department. If there was a single owner then identification and punishment would have been easier,” said Singh.

“I have identified the driver, who will be arrested soon,” he assured, adding that the MVI report that is with the police would also be produced when the time is right.