Mercedes rams Mumbai checkpoint, 2 cops in ICU; driver held from Nalasopara
Synopsis
A speeding Mercedes blew through a Marine Drive checkpoint in Mumbai, striking two police officers and leaving them in the ICU. The driver, 29-year-old Nihal Solanki, fled to Nalasopara before being arrested — the latest in a string of high-end car incidents on Mumbai's Coastal Road corridor that have so far drawn little systemic response.
Key Takeaways
Nihal Solanki , 29 , of Panchavati, Nashik , was arrested on Monday, 26 May after allegedly ramming his Mercedes into a police checkpoint on Marine Drive, Mumbai .
Injured officers Constable Krishnakant Mishra and Constable Rathod are both in the ICU of Bombay Hospital with serious injuries.
Solanki allegedly accelerated at the checkpoint instead of stopping, struck the officers, and fled the scene before being caught in Nalasopara .
The incident follows a February 2025 high-end car crash inside the Coastal Road tunnel and a December 2024 Mercedes collision on the Coastal Road.
Investigation is ongoing; Solanki remains in police custody.
Two police officers are in the ICU of Bombay Hospital after a speeding Mercedes rammed into a checkpoint on Marine Drive, Mumbai, in the early hours of Monday, 26 May. The accused, Nihal Solanki, a 29-year-old resident of Panchavati, Nashik, was arrested later that morning from Nalasopara after fleeing the scene.
How the Incident Unfolded
Officers from the Marine Drive police station were conducting routine vehicle checks late on Sunday night when Solanki's luxury car approached the checkpoint. According to officials, instead of slowing down, he allegedly accelerated and struck the two officers, knocking them to the ground, before driving away at speed.
The injured officers have been identified as Constable Krishnakant Mishra and Constable Rathod, both attached to the Marine Drive police station. Officials confirmed both sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment in the ICU.
Arrest and Investigation
Upon receiving the alert, police units mobilised immediately and launched a search operation. Solanki was tracked down and apprehended in Nalasopara on Monday morning. 'Solanki is now in custody as the investigation continues,' an official said. Further details of the case are awaited as the probe proceeds.
A Recurring Pattern on Mumbai Roads
This incident is not isolated. In February this year, a minor driving a high-end car lost control inside the Coastal Road tunnel in Mumbai, seriously injuring another motorist — who was later discharged. In December last year, a Mercedes struck a pillar on the Coastal Road, triggering a pile-up involving two cabs; all three vehicles were damaged and passengers sustained minor injuries, according to officials.
The pattern points to a persistent problem of reckless high-speed driving on Mumbai's premium road infrastructure, raising questions about enforcement at checkpoints and the adequacy of deterrents for luxury-vehicle owners.
What Happens Next
Solanki remains in police custody. Charges are expected to reflect the severity of the officers' injuries. The Marine Drive police station is leading the investigation, and a formal case has been registered. The condition of both injured constables will be closely monitored as they continue treatment in the ICU.
Point of View
The vehicle is high-end, the driver young, and the injuries real. Yet enforcement at checkpoints has not visibly hardened. The arrest of Solanki from Nalasopara hours after the incident is competent police work, but the deeper question is why a fleeing suspect had hours of head start at all. Mumbai's Coastal Road was sold as a world-class corridor; it now doubles as an accountability test the city keeps failing.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nihal Solanki and why was he arrested?
Nihal Solanki is a 29-year-old resident of Panchavati, Nashik, arrested on Monday morning for allegedly ramming his Mercedes into two police officers at a Marine Drive checkpoint in Mumbai. He had fled the scene after the collision and was traced and apprehended in Nalasopara.
What is the condition of the injured police officers?
Both injured officers — Constable Krishnakant Mishra and Constable Rathod of the Marine Drive police station — sustained serious injuries and are being treated in the ICU of Bombay Hospital. Their condition is being closely monitored.
Where exactly did the Mercedes checkpoint incident occur?
The incident occurred at a police checkpoint on Marine Drive in Mumbai, late on Sunday night. Officers were conducting routine vehicle checks when the Mercedes allegedly accelerated into them instead of stopping.
Has anything similar happened on Mumbai roads before?
Yes. In February 2025, a minor driving a high-end car crashed inside the Coastal Road tunnel, seriously injuring another motorist. In December 2024, a Mercedes struck a pillar on the Coastal Road, causing a pile-up of two cabs with minor injuries to passengers.
What charges is Nihal Solanki likely to face?
Solanki is currently in custody and the investigation is ongoing. Given the serious injuries to both officers, charges are expected to reflect the gravity of the incident. The Marine Drive police station is leading the probe and further details are awaited.
