Cops Picked Up Vadodara Crash Accused Last Month, Was Freed After Apology

Fewer than 30 days before his reckless driving on a Vadodara road resulted in a woman’s death and injuries to seven others, 20-year-old Rakshit Chaurasia encountered legal trouble and was released with an apology. An attorney had brought him and his companions to the Sayajiganj police station in the city after they caused a disturbance at a residential flat in Fatehganj.

The attorney’s office is located in the building where Rakshit and his friends had come together for a celebration. Annoyed by the commotion, the lawyer requested that they lower the volume. The youths reportedly threatened and mistreated them. The attorney summoned the police and the building’s residents confronted the troublemakers. Authorities brought the youths to the police station, where they were required to provide a written apology before being permitted to depart. No grievance was submitted, and the station log notes the agreement reached by both parties.

On March 13, a vehicle operated by Rakshit collides with three cars, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to seven more individuals in the Karelibaug region of Vadodara. A viral clip captures him exiting the vehicle and shouting nonsensical phrases, such as “another round,” “Nikita,” and “Om Namah Shivay.” Witnesses have reported that he was under the influence. Rakshit has been detained, and law enforcement is searching for fellow passenger Pranshu Chouhan. Rakshit, a law student at MS University, is currently involved in a case of culpable homicide that does not qualify as murder. Authorities have stated they are looking into whether he was intoxicated during the event.

Rakshit has claimed he was not drunk-driving. “We were going ahead of a scooter, we were turning right and there was a pothole. The car touched the other vehicle and the airbag opened. Our vision was hampered and the car went out of control,” he told the media. He said he was driving at 50 km/ph and was not drunk. Rakshit also claimed that he was not returning from a party and had gone to attend a Holika Dahan event. “I was told that one woman has died and a few have sustained injuries. I want to meet the family of the victims, it is my fault,” he said. A student of law, Rakshit is originally from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.

A video released by news agency ANI depicts Rakshit at the scene of the crime while police attempt to piece together the events from Thursday night. He is observed having difficulty walking while officers grip his arms. Rakshit was assaulted by a group after the chain of collisions, and his face also has signs of injury. During the crime reenactment visit, he is observed covering his ears — a gesture frequently used to express remorse — as officers place him into a police van.

The accident has garnered national attention and disturbed Vadodara. The city’s Police Commissioner, Narasimha Komar, stated that several teams are investigating the incident.  “Three other vehicles are involved in the incident. Multiple investigative teams are investigating the incident. They are recovering the evidence from the crime scene. Police are tracking the movement of the driver and co-passenger of the four-wheeler. Further investigation is underway,” he said.