Mumbai elderly booked for drunk driving had actually suffered stroke, probe reveals

70-year-old Sharad Kadam had to remain at the police station for several hours before receiving medical help.The man was detained on July 25 after his car allegedly brushed against two vehicles near Seven Bungalows in Andheri (West). (Representative image)A 70-year-old man who was booked for drunk driving after a minor road accident in Andheri was not under the influence of alcohol but had suffered a stroke, a police investigation has found.Sharad Kadam was detained on July 25 after his car brushed against two vehicles near Seven Bungalows in Andheri West. He was taken to the Versova police station, where he struggled to speak and was unable to blow into a breathalyser despite several attempts.As he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, police registered a case against him under the relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, an officer said.Kadam remained at the police station for several hours before a relative noticed that his physical condition was deteriorating and sought medical assistance. A CT scan conducted at Cooper Hospital later that evening showed that Kadam had suffered a minor stroke. He was subsequently shifted to Nanavati Hospital for specialised treatment, officials said.Kadam lives alone in Andheri, while his wife and son reside abroad. He is also a distant relative of a BJP leader, who later raised concerns over the alleged delay in providing him medical attention. Following the controversy, senior police officials constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.The investigation concluded that Kadam was not under the influence of alcohol when the accident occurred, the official said.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 26, 2026 22:25 IST