Family of Indian Teen Killed in New York Carriage Accident Seeks $105 Million
NEW YORK — The family of Indian teenager Romanch Mahajan, who died in a horse-drawn carriage accident in Central Park last year, has begun legal proceedings seeking $105 million in compensation from New York City.
The family filed notices against the city and four municipal departments last week, a required step before filing a lawsuit. They allege that stray electrical voltage in Central Park frightened the horse and that negligence by the city contributed to the fatal accident.
Mahajan, 18, was visiting New York with his family on June 17, 2025, to celebrate his high school graduation when they took a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park.
According to the family, the carriage driver stepped out to take a photograph when the horse suddenly bolted, throwing Mahajan’s mother, Priya, from the carriage. Mahajan jumped after her in an attempt to help but struck his head on the ground and died from his injuries.
The family alleges that stray voltage and other conditions “caused, precipitated, contributed to and/or was a substantial factor” in frightening the horse.
The claim echoes an argument made by the Transport Workers Union, which represents carriage driver Ertan Gokdepe.
“Blue-collar carriage drivers should not be punished for an unforeseeable hazard caused by flaws in the city’s power grid,” union official Alexander Kemp said last month.
Mahajan, who was from Pathankot, India, had recently completed high school at Angel’s Public School and was preparing to attend college.
His death also intensified calls to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City. Proposed legislation known as the Romanch Mahajan Bill, named in his memory, would prohibit the industry.
Supporters of the measure say it has enough backing to pass the City Council.
Mahajan’s father, Deepak Mahajan, urged council members last month to approve the ban.
“A young boy came to America full of dreams and left us far too soon,” he said.
“This was not an unpredictable accident,” he added. “It was a safety violation, a system’s failure to protect the people who visit our city, your city.” (Source: IANS)
