A tragic accident in Vadodara’s upscale Karelibaug area late Thursday night claimed the life of a woman and left seven others injured after a speeding car rammed into three two-wheelers and several pedestrians. Police have arrested the car’s driver and his co-passenger, both reportedly students, and are investigating whether they were under the influence of intoxicants at the time of the crash.
The car, a Volkswagen Virtus, was driven by Rakshit Chaurasiya, a law student at MS University. According to police, Chaurasiya lost control and crashed into the two-wheelers, killing Hemali Patel, who had stepped out to buy Holi colours. Among the injured were two young girls, aged 10 and 12. Three of the seven injured are reported to be in critical condition, while the rest sustained minor injuries.
Chaurasiya’s co-passenger, Praanshu Chauhan—son of the car’s owner and a mass communication student at Parul University—was arrested hours after the incident. Chaurasiya was caught at the spot by locals. A video circulating on social media appears to show Chaurasiya exiting the wrecked car while Chauhan tries to distance himself from the blame, reportedly telling bystanders that Chaurasiya was responsible for the crash.
Police said Chaurasiya claimed he had consumed ‘bhaang’. Blood samples from both accused have been collected and sent for forensic analysis to determine the nature of the intoxicant, according to a report by The Indian Express.
Vadodara Police Commissioner Narasimha Komar confirmed that a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered at the Karelibaug police station. He said multiple teams have been formed to investigate the events leading up to the accident, including examining eyewitness accounts, CCTV footage, and scientific evidence, the report mentioned.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Panna Momaya said the car is registered under a private company where Chauhan’s father is employed. She added that the final determination regarding intoxication will depend on the report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).