New Delhi: The nephew of Gujarat BJP MLA Dineshsinh Kushwaha was arrested Thursday in connection with a hit-and-run incident in Ahmedabad that left a man dead. He was released on bail the same day, police told ThePrint.
The accused, Raghavendra Kushwaha, allegedly rammed into a Rapido bike with his speeding Range Rover around 7 am Wednesday near the Gurukrupa Traders intersection, close to Shilaj Circle, said police. The Rapido driver has been identified as Pradeep Kumar, with one Harshadkumar Purbia riding pillion. The impact threw both men onto the road.
Purbia, 35, sustained critical injuries and died during treatment later that day, while Kumar escaped with injuries.
“Following the crash, the accused driver allegedly fled the scene without offering medical assistance to the injured riders. He told the police he feared an attack from the public because many people were at the spot. He said he was scared,” a senior police officer told ThePrint.
“He was released within a few hours, after the police took his fingerprints, and the paperwork relating to the offence was completed,” added the officer.
Bopal police launched an investigation and examined CCTV footage from nearby cameras to trace the vehicle’s movements.
According to the police, Raghavendra Kushwaha had been attending a friend’s party in Kalol and was on his way back when the incident occurred. Preliminary investigation suggests the driver was not under the influence.
The vehicle has been seized as part of the investigation, and forensic analysis and RTO inspections are underway. A medical examination of the accused has been conducted.
An FIR was registered against the accused under BNS Sections 106 (causing death by negligence) and 281 (rash or negligent driving) based on the survivor’s statement and the vehicle’s registration number.
Using the SUV’s registration details captured during the investigation, police traced the vehicle and identified Kushwaha as its driver and owner. Police subsequently took him into custody and seized the Range Rover for forensic and mechanical inspection.
“Since it was a bailable offence, Raghavendra has been granted bail,” the officer quoted earlier said.
The nephew of the Bapunagar legislator is a businessman involved in real estate, said police.
(Edited by Chingkheinganbi Mayengbam)