A primary school teacher, allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, has been arrested in Gujarat after a horrific hit-and-run in which his car dragged a motorcycle and its riders for 1.5 kilometres, leading to one man’s death.
The shocking incident, captured on a video that has since gone viral, occurred on the Modasa-Lunawada Road, part of National Highway 48, in Mahisagar district.
According to the police report cited by NDTV, the car, driven by teacher Manish Patel, struck the motorcycle carrying Dineshbhai Charel, 50 and his 21-year-old brother, Sunil Machar. Instead of stopping, Patel continued to drive, with the motorcycle and its riders becoming trapped on the front of the vehicle.
The 33-second clip of the incident, which has provoked widespread public anger, shows the car proceeding at speed with the mangled motorcycle visibly wedged on its bonnet. During the ordeal, one of the victims can be seen falling from the bike, with his hand appearing to go under the car’s wheels.
Other motorists on the highway attempted to intervene, shouting and trying to get the driver to stop. Eyewitness accounts reportedly suggest the accused initially tried to threaten those who sought to intervene.
Mahisagar Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kamlesh Vasava, confirmed the arrests. “The police have registered a case against the two accused,” Vasava was quoted by NDTV as saying. “They have also called the Forensics Science Laboratory team. A probe is underway.”
The accused driver, Manish Patel and his brother, Mehul Patel, who was also present in the car and was reportedly intoxicated, are now in custody. Police stated that liquor bottles were seized from inside the vehicle.
Tragically, the younger victim, Sunil Machar, succumbed to his injuries. His brother, Dineshbhai, remains in a critical condition and is receiving treatment, along with the other injured rider, at civil hospitals in Lunawada and Godhra.
Authorities are now taking further action. DSP Vasava added that efforts are underway to cancel the driving licence of the primary accused, Manish Patel.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
