Following the tragic hit-and-run case in Gujarat’s Vadodara, police have found that accused Rakshit Chaurasia had last month created a ruckus after allegedly being drunk. Now he has confessed to consuming bhang before reportedly overspeeding and ramming into several vehicles on Friday, which led to the death of a woman and left her husband critical. The police are yet to ascertain the type of intoxicant the 23-year-old law student allegedly consumedread moreFollowing the shocking hit-and-run incident in Gujarat’s Vadodara, police have launched an investigation to determine whether 23-year-old Rakshit Chaurasia was under the influence of intoxicants at the time of the crash.On Friday, Chaurasia, a law student, was returning from a Holika Dahan function with his friend, Prabhu Chauhan, when tragedy struck. Allegedly intoxicated, they lost control of their speeding car, ramming into pedestrians and nearby vehicles. The impact claimed the life of a woman and left seven others critically injured.AdvertisementAdding to the controversy, an India Today report has revealed that just last month, Chaurasia and his friends were thrashed by locals for causing chaos in a neighbourhood after allegedly consuming alcohol. This has raised concerns about whether he had a history of substance abuse.As authorities continue their probe, here’s what we know so farThe incidentThe horrific crash took place around midnight near Muktanand Cross Roads in Vadodara’s Karelibaug area.Chaurasia, reportedly driving a Volkswagen Virtus sedan at a staggering speed of 120 kmph, first hit Hemali Patel, a woman on a scooter near Amrapali Complex. Patel, who had stepped out to buy Holi colours, died on the spot. The car then went on to hit multiple vehicles and pedestrians before finally coming to a halt.A shocking video from the crash site surfaced, showing a visibly intoxicated Chaurasia stepping out of the car and shouting erratically. He could be heard yelling “another round” and “Nikita” as bystanders restrained him, while the injured— including two children—lay scattered on the road.Editor’s Picks1The Big ‘Bhang Theory’: Why Indians drink bhang on Holi2Pune Porsche crash: Why teen who killed 2 has been let off with writing an essay while father has been detainedA shocking video from the Vadodara accident site showed a visibly intoxicated Chaurasia stepping out of the car and shouting erratically. He could be heard yelling “another round” and “Nikita” as bystanders restrained him. Image courtesy: XChaurasia was accompanied by co-accused Praanshu Chauhan, the son of the car’s owner, according to police. While Chaurasia was caught and arrested on the spot by locals, Chauhan was apprehended hours later.Did Chaurasia consume drugs before the incident?When questioned about where he had consumed alcohol or partied that night, Chaurasia initially denied attending any gathering. He maintained that he was simply returning home after a Holika Dahan celebration.“We were going ahead of a scooty, we were turning right and there was a pothole on the road. There was a scooty and a car parked near the right turn. Our car touched the scooter and the airbags opened. After that, I couldn’t tell where the car went,” he said, claiming he was driving at 50-60 kmph at the time.AdvertisementHowever, The Indian Express reported that a rapid test conducted after his detention confirmed the presence of drugs in his system. Chaurasia also admitted to consuming
bhang during the celebration.AdvertisementSince rapid test results are not admissible in court and only serve as an initial indicator of drug use, police have sent blood samples of Chaurasia, Chauhan, and a third friend who was with them before the accident to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for further analysis.Meanwhile, CCTV footage from before the accident showed Chaurasia and Chauhan arriving at their friend Suresh’s home holding a bottle, though it remains unclear what it contained. After spending some time there, the two left, with Chaurasia allegedly insisting on driving and convincing his friend to move to the passenger seat.Also read:
Dehradun hit-and-run: How speeding Mercedes crushed 4 labourers to deathAdvertisementChaurasia’s troubled pastThis isn’t the first time Chaurasia has found himself in trouble.Just last month, the 23-year-old law student from Varanasi was allegedly involved in another incident. India Today reported, citing police inspector N Dhasura, that Chaurasia and his friends were thrashed by locals after creating chaos and shouting loudly in a drunken state.An advocate living below the house where they were staying had complained to the police. A team arrived at the scene, but when asked to file an FIR, the advocate chose to let them off with a warning, stating they were students.Now, after the tragic accident, Chaurasia says he deeply regrets what happened and wishes to apologise to the victim’s family, admitting that saying “sorry” is not enough.Advertisement“I want to meet the family of the victims. It is my fault, and whatever they want should happen,” he said.The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with victims and their families demanding strict action to prevent such reckless driving cases in the future.Vikas Kevlani, one of the injured, stated that mere fines are not enough to deter such incidents. “Fine is not the solution. Only if there is strict action will they understand what they have done,” he said.With input from agenciesMore from Explainers
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Dehradun hit-and-run: How speeding Mercedes crushed 4 labourers to deathTagsGujaratIndiaEnd of Article
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Vadodara hit-and-run: Does accused Rakshit Chaurasia have a history of alcohol and drug abuse?
