The Meghalaya PWD contractual worker, Joseph Marak, who was injured in the now infamous hit and run case of model Rajkanya Baruah, succumbed to his injuries in a Guwahati Hospital last evening.
Joseph Marak (55) is a resident of Nongalbibra in the district of South Garo Hills.
He along with eight other construction workers were injured after former finalist of Femina Miss India, Rajkanya, drove over them under the influence of alcohol on the night of October 1 on the GS Road under Assam jurisdiction.
Rajkanya was later arrested on October 6 but let go after police personnel filed a very weak case against the supermodel in an effort to protect her.
Following a major outcry, the model was rearrested with even Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma promising justice to the victims.
Joseph had apparently developed septicemia and was critical for the past few days. The extent of his injury was such that doctors had to amputate both his legs and he remained in ICU during the entire duration of treatment. He was being medically treated at GMCH since the incident but developed complications of late. He succumbed to his injuries, becoming the first from the injured lot to lose their lives.
The news of Joseph’s death has hit the people close to him extremely hard. He is survived by his three children, the eldest of which is only 17. The family lives in a ramshackle house in Nongalbibra and literally lives hand to mouth.
Former Rongara – Siju MLA, Rophul Marak, who has been assisting the family through the tough times, said he feared for the children as they were now orphaned.
“It is painful to see their living conditions. Joseph has been struggling through his life to maintain his family. The children lost their mother last year during the lockdown and only have their grandmother to fall upon. However they lost their only breadwinner yesterday,” said Rophul when contacted.
