In a shocking update to the fatal car crash in Vadodara that claimed a woman’s life and injured seven others last month, police have confirmed that the accused, Rakshit Chaurasia, was driving under the influence of drugs.
As per the initial findings of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar, Chaurasia’s blood sample tested negative for alcohol but positive for marijuana consumption. The results, which arrived nearly 20 days after the tragic incident, also confirmed drug use by two other individuals who were in the car during the accident—Praanshu Chauhan and Suresh Bharwad.
Following these revelations, authorities have invoked the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, against all three, and charged Chaurasia under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which criminalizes driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Of the three accused, Chauhan has already been taken into custody, while Chaurasia remains in judicial custody at the Vadodara Central Jail. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to apprehend Bharwad, who is currently absconding.
“We received the result of the three blood samples today, which showed positive for drugs. They were driving the car after smoking marijuana. We have arrested Rakshit Chaurasia’s co-passenger and the third accused will be arrested soon,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 4, Panna Momaya.
The accident occurred on March 13 when 23-year-old Chaurasia, a law student at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and a native of Prayagraj, rammed a Volkswagen Virtus into three other vehicles near Amrapali Chaar Rasta in Karelibag, a bustling junction in the city. The crash led to the death of Hemali Patel and caused injuries to seven others.
Disturbing visuals from the scene quickly went viral online, with the accused seen in a black T-shirt shouting repeatedly: “Another round, another round!” and “Om Namah Shivay!”
Chaurasia was apprehended a day after the incident and booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. In his initial statement, he denied any intoxication or overspeeding and instead blamed the malfunctioning of the car’s airbags for the crash.
The investigation is ongoing.
