Guwahati, April 27: Stand-up comedian Manhar Seth on Monday addressed the recent fatal road accident in Guwahati during a live performance in Kolkata, dedicating his show to three young women who died hours after attending his earlier act at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati.
Seth appeared visibly emotional as he spoke about the incident, describing it as deeply distressing. He said he had been grappling with a sense of guilt after learning that the victims had attended his performance prior to the accident, and reflected on whether the tragedy could have been avoided.
He noted that media reports linking the victims to his show had affected him significantly, and said he had considered cancelling his Kolkata performance before deciding to go ahead and dedicate it to the deceased.
During his address, Seth urged audiences to prioritise safety and responsibility while travelling, and called for greater compassion in public life.
The accident occurred late Sunday night in the Mathgharia area of Guwahati, when a speeding Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire rammed into a stationary truck. The victims—Akanksha Saikia, Puja Saha and Neha Khan—sustained critical injuries.
According to police, two of the women died at the scene, while the third succumbed to injuries at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. The driver, identified as Shamim Ahmed, survived the crash but allegedly fled the spot.
Authorities have launched a search operation to trace the driver and are continuing investigations into the incident.
Seth concluded his remarks by expressing condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for peace for the departed souls.
