The Muttikulangara Family’s Struggle for Justice After a Panchayat Garbage Truck Accident

As of Monday, June 2, 2025, the family of Ajina and Vishnu from Muttikulangara, Palakkad, continues to endure immense hardship following a tragic accident that occurred on February 18, 2025. While riding their motorcycle, a waste sack fell from a panchayat garbage tractor, causing them to lose balance and crash. Ajina, seven months pregnant with twins, was badly injured. The next day, she went into early labor and delivered the babies at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Palakkad, before being moved to Mother Hospital in Thrissur. Sadly, one of the twins died on February 20, and the other is still receiving treatment.

The accident has left the family not only grieving but also financially devastated. Vishnu, who works at a mobile phone service center, says they’ve spent nearly ₹10 lakh on medical bills in just three months. They’re now struggling financially. Although the family points out that the garbage sacks weren’t properly tied down which is the mistake they say caused the crash, the panchayat denies this and no compensation has been given so far.

The Puthuppariyaram panchayat says they can’t give official financial help without a government order. Though staff personally raised ₹60,000 for the family and visited them several times, official compensation is still delayed. The family was promised help within 10 to 15 days after leaving the hospital in late April, but over a month has passed with no update. Vishnu says each time they ask, they’re told the process is “ongoing,” while their surviving child still needs at least a year of medical care.

Frustrated by the delay, the family is now thinking about taking legal action against the panchayat. Their situation shows the need for better accountability, faster help, and stronger safety measures in local governance to avoid such tragedies.

Read more at: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2025/06/02/palakkad-garbage-truck-accident-twin-death-compensation-demand.html