Jalandhar, October 25
Ace comedian, satirist and film producer Jaspal Bhatti died in a road accident near Shahkot today.
The accident took place around 1.30 am when Bhatti, his son Jasraj, actor Surili Gautam and Navnit Joshi, a Chandigarh-based advertisement professional, were travelling from Bathinda to Jalandhar via Moga for the promotion of their upcoming film ‘Power Cut’.
Their white Honda Accord (HNC 1), which was being driven by Jasraj, crashed into a tree. Bhatti (57), who was in the rear seat, suffered grievous head injuries, including multiple fractures of the skull. All occupants of the car suffered injuries.
Bhatti and his team were on a 40-day tour to promote ‘Power Cut’ in Punjab, which was to culminate at a press conference here on Thursday. The film, directed and produced by Bhatti, was scheduled for a Friday release. It is Jasraj’s debut film.
“The accident took place around 1.30 am. Some local residents informed the police, which shifted the occupants of the car to a hospital in Jalandhar. While Bhatti was declared brought dead, the others were shifted to DMCH, Ludhiana, after first aid,” said Jalandhar (Rural) SP Rajinder Singh.
The police is investigating the reasons behind the accident. It is believed that the vehicle swerved near the kerb on the Moga-Jalandhar highway near the Shahkot Truck Union office.
The airbags of the car were found inflated and apparently saved the lives of Jasraj and Surili, who were in the front seat.
The speedometer of the car suggested that the car was travelling at 60 kmph. “The speed dial needle often dips as soon as a vehicle involved in a crash comes to a halt,” said Rajinder Singh.
“We heard a loud thud and ran towards the scene. The occupants were shrieking in pain. The middle-aged man (Jaspal Bhatti) was alive. We immediately called up the ‘108’ ambulance service,” said Surjit Singh, a truck driver who was at the Shahkot Truck Union office when the mishap took place.
The four were taken to the local Orthonova Hospital on Nakodar road around 2 am. Bhatti was declared dead by a team of four doctors, led by Dr Harpreet Singh around 3 am. Four doctors besides the hospital staff treated the
casualties.
“We performed CPR on Bhatti for over 40 minutes but we could not resuscitate him. He had died on the way to the hospital. There was no major visible injury mark on the body, barring a bump on the forehead. Bhatti apparently died due to internal injuries caused by base skull fracture. Blood was oozing out of the ears and nostrils,” said Dr Harpreet Singh.
He said he got a call from a Ludhiana-based doctor, who was known to Bhatti, around 1.45 a.m. “He told me that he was shifting Bhatti and others to our hospital. While we tried to resuscitate Bhatti, the other three were shifted to the DMCH around 5.30 am. They were out of danger,” said Dr Harpreet Singh.
Bhatti’s family members, including his brother-in-law and Anandpur Sahib MLA Dr Daljit Cheema, reached the hospital soon after learning about the accident.
Bhatti’s body was shifted to the local Civil Hospital, where a post-mortem was conducted.
“The death was caused by skull fracture and head injuries,” said Dr Sanjay Khanna, who conducted the autopsy.
The body was handed over to the family members and friends around 12 pm.
Hundreds thronged the Sector-25 cremation ground in Chandigarh to pay their last respects to Bhatti this evening. Jasraj performed the last rites of his father. Bhatti’s wife Savita and daughter Rabia were inconsolable, as people from all walks of life bade a tearful adieu to the satirist. Those present included Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Anandpur Sahib MP Ravneet Bittu, artistes Jasbir Jassi, comedians Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi and Bhagwant Maan.
