Family of Indian teen killed in Central Park carriage accident files $105 million lawsuit
The relatives of Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist who died in a Central Park horse-and-buggy incident, have lodged a claim seeking $105 million from New York City and Con Edison.
Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old visitor from India, was killed when a horse pulling a Central Park carriage became frightened by an alleged stray voltage and fled, hurling him to the ground. His family has submitted a notice of claim demanding $105 million from the city and Con Edison, asserting that the utility had detected low-level stray voltage on July 16 and July 23 but concluded it was not from its equipment. The lawsuit also implicates multiple city agencies, alleging they were aware of the hazard yet did not remediate it.
The case emerges amid a City Council debate over banning the century-old carriage service, with Council Speaker Julie Menin calling for reforms that balance safety, animal welfare, and workers’ livelihoods. Councilman James Gennaro, while condemning the “unthinkable tragedy,” argues the incident stemmed from human error and suggests legislation to improve safety rather than a total ban. The city’s Law Department has not commented, pending review of the filing.
Why it matters
The lawsuit could reshape how New York manages historic carriage rides and municipal responsibility for public safety.
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