Accused in Vadodara Hit-and-Run Previously Evaded Penalties
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The investigation into Rakshit Chaurasia's hit-and-run case on March 13 has revealed his involvement in a prior reckless driving incident, raising concerns over enforcement in Vadodara.
Key Takeaways
- Rakshit Chaurasia involved in deadly hit-and-run.
- Prior reckless driving incident ignored.
- One fatality and multiple injuries reported.
- Stricter monitoring protocols enforced in jail.
- Hit-and-run statistics in Gujarat alarming.
Vadodara, March 19 (NationPress) The investigation into the hit-and-run incident involving Rakshit Chaurasia on March 13 has uncovered his prior involvement in a similar reckless driving case. In the March 13 event, Chaurasia's speeding vehicle collided with three others, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to seven individuals in Gujarat's Vadodara.
Further examination has revealed that just two and a half months prior, he was involved in another reckless driving occurrence in Sevasi, where his car veered off the road due to excessive speed. Despite this incident, no legal repercussions were enacted at that time.
On the night of Holika Dahan, Chaurasia was reportedly exceeding safe driving limits when he lost control, leading to a collision so severe that pieces of the vehicle's engine were scattered across the roadway.
As a result of the accident, one woman tragically lost her life, while seven others were injured. The car was later sent for a thorough forensic and mechanical analysis at the RTO (Regional Transport Office). Unfortunately, authorities could not ascertain if a mechanical malfunction contributed to the incident, compelling the police to pursue their own investigation.
Upon completion of his remand, Rakshit Chaurasia was transferred to Vadodara Central Jail, where he resides in the semi-high security Yard-12. Reports indicate that he is among four other individuals charged with serious offenses. Authorities have established stringent monitoring measures, including 24/7 CCTV surveillance to maintain constant oversight. Additionally, he is prohibited from receiving food or supplies from outside, being limited to jail-provided meals only.
Recent investigations indicate that Chaurasia had previously been implicated in a reckless driving episode in the Sevasi region months before this fatal incident. Reports suggest that his vehicle had gone off the road due to excessive speed, yet no actions were taken against him at that time. This revelation raises significant questions about whether stricter enforcement could have averted the tragic accident during Holika Dahan.
From April 2020 to March 2023, Gujarat recorded a staggering 4,860 hit-and-run cases, leading to 3,449 fatalities and 2,720 serious injuries. In the city of Ahmedabad, incidents of hit-and-run accidents have been particularly alarming, with one in every three proving fatal over the past two years (2023 and 2024). This city reported 344 such incidents, resulting in 117 deaths. In 2024, there were 161 hit-and-run accidents, marking a 12 percent drop from 183 in 2023. Fatalities saw a significant decline of 25.4 percent, dropping from 67 in 2023 to 50 in 2024. In rural Ahmedabad, 395 hit-and-run accidents were noted during the same timeframe, causing 228 fatalities, which accounted for 57 percent of the deaths related to these cases. While the number of incidents decreased in 2024 compared to the previous year, the fatality count remained unchanged at 114 for both years.
