Hyderabad: Family and friends on Sunday bid tearful adieu to a 10-year-old Ramya, who died nine days after a tragic accident caused by a youngster driving a car rashly under the influence of alcohol.

The death of Ramya, who was returning home along with her family member after her first day at school when the accident occurred, left everybody in tears. Large number of people attended the burial of Ramya, who lost the battle for life on Saturday night after being on ventilator for nine days.

The family, which lost two of its members including Ramya, is seeking exemplary punishment to the offenders. It was double tragedy for the family as Ramya’s uncle Rajesh (35), a software engineer, died on the spot while her mother, grandfather and another uncle sustained grievous injuries.

Ramya’s grandfather Madhusudhana Chary is battling for life while her mother Radhikha remained in serious condition with multiple fractures. Radhika was brought in an ambulance to the hospital to see her daughter for the last time. She fell unconscious after kissing her on the forehead.

The accident occurred on July 1 in Banjara Hills area when Ramya was returning home with her family members in their car. A car coming from opposite direction being driven rashly by an engineering student under the influence of alcohol lost control and rammed into the divider, was flung into the air and fell on to the car carrying Ramya and her family members. Ramya’s uncle Rajesh, who was driving the Santro, died on the spot.

Doctors said Ramya had become brain dead and her stem cell reflexes had stopped. Shravil (20), who was at the wheels of the i10, escaped unhurt while five friends accompanying him sustained minor injuries. They were all allegedly drunk and were returning from a cinema theatre. Shravil was arrested and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. According to police, he did not even have driving license and was driving car of one of his friends, whose parents are lawyers.

Ramya’s father Venkat Rao was inconsolable as younger daughter Nishita in his lap was yet to understand the gravity of the tragedy befallen on them. “She was a princess. I have lost my princess. Whatever may be the dress she wears, it used to look as if it is meant for her,” he said. Ramya’s family is seeking stringent punishment for Shravil and the friends who were accompanying him.

“They are not students. They are killers. They don’t even have remorse,” said Venkat Rao. Shravil and his friends are students of Keshav Memorial Engineering College. Ramya’s family is demanding that the college cancel their admission and the government should seize their passports and ensure that they don’t get admission in any other college in India.

“Saddened by Ramya’s passing away. RIP Ramya. DUI is a most reprehensible act,” said Telangana Industries, Information Technology and Municipal Administration Minister K. T. Rama Rao in his brief message.

IANS