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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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
