New York, Aug 2026 : The family of Indian teenager Romanch Mahajan, who died in a tragic horse-carriage accident in New York City last year, has initiated legal proceedings against the city, seeking $105 million in compensation. The family alleges that stray electrical voltage in Central Park startled the horse and contributed to the fatal incident, which they say resulted from negligence by city authorities.
The legal action was initiated through notices filed with the New York City government and four city departments, representing the first formal step before a potential lawsuit. According to the family's claim, electrical current in the area, along with other factors, “caused, precipitated, contributed to and/or was a substantial factor” in causing the horse to bolt.
Mahajan, 18, was visiting New York with his family to celebrate his graduation from high school. The teenager, who hailed from Pathankot in Punjab, had recently completed his Class 12 education at Angel’s Public School and was preparing to begin college.
The accident occurred on June 17 last year, when the family took a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park. According to the family's account, the carriage driver, Ertan Gokdepe, stepped away from the vehicle to take a photograph. The horse then suddenly bolted.
Mahajan's mother, Priya, was thrown from the carriage. In an attempt to save her, Romanch reportedly jumped after her but struck his head on the ground. He suffered a severe injury and later died.
The family's allegation regarding stray electricity has also been raised by the Transport Workers Union, which represented the carriage driver. Alexander Kemp, vice president of the union's local unit, previously defended Gokdepe, arguing that carriage drivers should not be held responsible for hazards arising from alleged deficiencies in the city's electrical infrastructure.
The tragedy has also intensified a long-running campaign to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City. A proposed ban, known as the Romanch Mahajan Bill, has been named in memory of the teenager. The New York City Council is expected to consider the legislation, with supporters claiming that it has sufficient backing to pass.
Romanch's father, Deepak Mahajan, recently addressed the City Council through a video link and made an emotional appeal for an end to horse-drawn carriage rides.
“A young boy came to America full of dreams and left us far too soon,” he said, arguing that the tragedy should not be dismissed as an unavoidable accident.
The family maintains that the incident exposed wider safety concerns surrounding horse-drawn carriage operations and the city's responsibility to protect residents and visitors. The legal proceedings will now determine whether the alleged negligence and infrastructure issues can be established in court.
(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
