Drunk driving incident: Woman killed, several injured as speeding car ploughs into vehicles
Drunk man shouts "Another round" and "Om Namah Shivaya," after crash
Vadodara: A woman lost her life, and several others sustained serious injuries after a speeding car rammed into multiple vehicles in the Karelibagh area of Vadodara on Thursday night. The driver, identified as Rakshit Ravish Chaurasia, a law student at MS University, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of the vehicle.
Accident caught on CCTV
The incident, captured on CCTV near Amrapali Complex, showed the car moving at over 100 kmph before taking a sharp turn. While some bystanders managed to escape, others were hit. The crash left one woman dead on the spot and injured four to five others. Three two-wheelers were also damaged. The injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Erratic behaviour after the crash
Rakshit was accompanied by Pranshu Chauhan, the owner of the car. Following the accident, Rakshit, visibly intoxicated, remained inside the vehicle, shouting incoherent phrases, including "Another round" and "Om Namah Shivaya." Pranshu, wearing a white T-shirt, attempted to distance himself from the incident, stating, "He was driving the car, not me." Enraged by the reckless behaviour, bystanders thrashed Rakshit before the police intervened.
Police investigation underway
Rakshit was arrested at the scene, while a search is underway for Pranshu, who fled. The vehicle was registered under Deon Technology Pvt Ltd. Senior police officials, along with local BJP leaders, visited the site following the incident.
Joint Commissioner of Police Leena Patil confirmed that the accused was intoxicated at the time of the crash. "A four-wheeler rammed into a two-wheeler, killing a woman. The accused driver has been caught, and further investigation is underway," she said.
The accident led to the cancellation of the Rangotsav programme, which was being held as part of Holi celebrations in the area. Police are examining the extent of alcohol consumption and other contributing factors.
#Vadodara: Drunk youth hits 7 on Holi night, 1 dies
— Namaskar Gujarat Australia (@NamaskarGujarat) March 13, 2025
Accident near #Karelibagh Amrapali Complex, CCTV of the incident surfaced, condition of two persons is critical. This video contains potentially disturbing situation that may be harmful to some viewers. #Accident #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/AHFGyI3MFO
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
