Story perspectives

Family Files $105 Million Claims After Romanch Mahajan Death

8/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Romanch Mahajan’s U.S. family filed four claims seeking $105 million from New York City after his June 17 death.
The driver stopped to photograph the family, leaving horse Sampson unattended after stray voltage from Con Edison spooked it.
Romanch jumped to save his mother Priya, struck his head, and died at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Council Member Christopher Marte introduced “Romanch’s Law,” backed by Speaker Julie Menin, to end carriage rides by June 1, 2028.

History

Historical Context

Efforts to curb unsafe carriage rides echo earlier animal-welfare actions in New York City. After NYCLASS formed in 2008, the group helped pass the 2019 Carriage Horse Heat Relief Bill, which barred work during extreme heat, and secured the relocation of hack lines into Central Park. Those precedents shape the current proposal to ban most carriage trips.

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Story summary

Romanch Mahajan’s U.S. family filed four claims seeking $105 million from New York City after his June 17 death.
The driver stopped to photograph the family, leaving horse Sampson unattended after stray voltage from Con Edison spooked it.
Romanch jumped to save his mother Priya, struck his head, and died at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Council Member Christopher Marte introduced “Romanch’s Law,” backed by Speaker Julie Menin, to end carriage rides by June 1, 2028.

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