Ex-Union minister’s son out on bail in hit-and-run case - ‘CCTV stopped working shortly before crash’

• Balwant Singh arrested for hit-and-run in Raipur, later released on bail
• Victim Tribhuvan Thakur critically injured, investigation ongoing
• CCTV near accident site was not working at the time of incident

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The 34-year-old son of former Union minister and sitting BJP MLA Renuka Singh was arrested on Tuesday evening in connection with a hit-and-run case in Raipur that left a biker critically injured. The accused, Balwant Singh, also known as Lucky, was later released on bail as the charges against him are bailable, police said.

The incident took place in the early hours of Monday at Salasar Chowk on the Ring Road in Raipur city. Police said Balwant Singh was driving a friend’s car at the time of the accident. Three of his friends were also present in the vehicle.

According to police, the victim, 34-year-old Tribhuvan Thakur, works as a DJ and was returning home after performing at an event. As he was taking a left turn on the road around 1 am, the car allegedly driven by Balwant Singh hit his bike at a very high speed, estimated between 80 and 100 kmph.

Due to the impact, Tribhuvan was thrown off his motorcycle and dragged for a few metres by the car, police said. The car then allegedly tried to flee the scene but crashed into a road divider nearly two kilometres away. Local residents alerted the police, following which an investigation was launched.

A senior police officer said Balwant Singh was arrested on Tuesday evening and later confessed to driving the car at the time of the accident. “The owner of the car, who is Balwant’s friend, also confirmed that he had given the vehicle to him,” the officer was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

As the case was registered under bailable sections, Balwant was released on bail after signing a bond of Rs 50,000 and providing a guarantor.

The officer added that more serious charges could be added later, depending on the victim’s medical condition. “Once we receive the final medical report, appropriate sections will be included. The victim remains in critical condition,” he said.

Police also claimed that the CCTV cameras installed near the site of the accident had “stopped functioning due to a technical error at midnight”, an hour before the accident took place at 1 am.

An official from the Telibandha police station said Tribhuvan Thakur suffered severe injuries to his head, ribs, legs and back. He is currently undergoing treatment and remains in critical condition.

An FIR has been registered against Balwant Singh under sections 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for endangering personal safety and section 281 for rash and negligent driving. Further investigation in the case is ongoing.