Cyrus Mistry dies in car crash

Mumbai: Former Tata Sons Chairman and head of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Cyrus P Mistry, was killed in a road accident at Palghar in northern Maharashtra on Sunday afternoon. He was 54. Mistry was travelling from Ahmedabad to Mumbai in a Mercedes car. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a detailed probe into the incident that shook the country's corporate world.

"The accident took place around 3:15pm, when Mistry was travelling to Mumbai from Ahmedabad. The accident took place on a bridge over the Surya river after his car hit a divider in Maharashtra's Palghar district neighbouring Mumbai. It seems an accident," the police official said.

Mistry's death comes barely two months after his father, Pallonji Mistry, passed away on June 28 in Mumbai at the age of 93.

Along with Mistry, another person travelling in the Mercedes car was also killed on the spot while two others, including the driver, identified as Anayta Pandol, were injured and have been shifted to a hospital in Gujarat. More details will be obtained from them, he said.

Palghar Police officer Sachin Navadkar said the local police are carrying out a further investigation.

In a condolence tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "The untimely demise of Cyrus Mistry is shocking. He was a promising business leader who believed in India's economic prowess. His passing away is a big loss to the world of commerce and industry. Condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace."

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed shock at the tragedy and said Mistry's demise is a loss not only to his family but also the country's industrial world.

NCP MP Supriya Sule has expressed shock at the incident. "Devastating News My Brother Cyrus Mistry passed away. Can't believe it. "Rest in Peace Cyrus."