Vadodara, Mar 16 : A 20-year-old law student, Rakshit Chaurasia, was arrested after his car crashed into three vehicles in Vadodara’s Karelibaug area, killing a woman and injuring seven others, police said.
The accident, which occurred on March 13, was captured in a viral video showing Chaurasia stepping out of the car, screaming incoherent words, including “another round,” “Nikita,” and “Om Namah Shivay.” Eyewitnesses claimed he was intoxicated. Police have arrested Chaurasia and are searching for his co-passenger, Pranshu Chouhan.
Less than a month before the crash, Chaurasia and his friends were taken to Sayajiganj police station after creating a commotion at a residential apartment in Fatehganj, police sources confirmed. A lawyer, disturbed by the noise, confronted them and later called the police when they allegedly threatened and abused him.
The group was taken to the police station, where they submitted a written apology and were let off without a formal complaint, police records show.
Among the injured were Hemali Patel (37) and her husband, Purav, who were on a scooter to buy Holi colors for their daughter. Hemali died on the spot, while Purav remains in critical condition.
The car also hit another two-wheeler carrying siblings Vikas, Komal, and Jayesh and a separate vehicle carrying Nisha Shah and her children Jainil and Rency. All are being treated for serious injuries, hospital sources said.
Denying allegations of drunk driving, Chaurasia told the media, “We were going ahead of a scooter, turning right, and there was a pothole. The car touched the other vehicle, and the airbag opened, hampering our vision, which led to the crash.”
He insisted he was driving at 50 km/h and was not intoxicated, adding that he was returning from a Holika Dahan event, not a party. “I want to meet the family of the victims. It is my fault,” he said.
A video released by police shows Chaurasia struggling to walk during a crime scene reconstruction exercise. He was roughed up by an angry crowd, and his face bore visible injuries. During the process, he was seen holding his ears, a common Indian gesture of apology. Vadodara Police Commissioner Narasimha Komar confirmed that a multi-agency investigation is underway. “Three other vehicles are involved in the incident. Multiple investigative teams are recovering evidence and tracking the movement of the driver and co-passenger. Further investigation is underway,” he said.
