In a shocking incident that has left the city of Vadodara in Gujarat reeling, law student Rakshit Chaurasia has been accused of causing a fatal hit-and-run accident on the night of March 13. The incident, which claimed the life of a woman and left seven others critically injured, has raised several troubling questions, particularly about whether the 23-year-old was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and new revelations continue to surface.
The Incident: A Night of Tragedy
The incident occurred around midnight near Muktanand Cross Roads in Vadodara’s Karelibaug area. Rakshit Chaurasia, allegedly driving a Volkswagen Virtus sedan at a staggering speed of 120 km/h, collided with multiple vehicles and pedestrians. The crash began when Chaurasia hit a scooter ridden by 35-year-old Hemali Patel, who was out buying Holi colors. Patel died on the spot due to the impact.
Key Details of the Incident:
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Time of Accident: Around midnight
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Location: Karelibaug, Vadodara
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Casualties: 1 woman dead (Hemali Patel), 7 others critically injured (including two children aged 10 and 12)
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Speed: Estimated at 120 km/h
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Victims: Three of the injured are in critical condition
Chaurasia's Erratic Behavior After the Crash
Shocking footage from the accident site revealed Chaurasia in a state of apparent intoxication, shouting erratically and making incoherent remarks like “another round” and “Nikita,” while the injured lay scattered on the road. His bizarre behavior led police to suspect he might have been under the influence of intoxicants when the crash occurred. As bystanders restrained him, Chaurasia was reportedly yelling “Om Namah Shivay,” and was later handed over to the police by locals who had witnessed the incident.
Chaurasia’s Drug and Alcohol Use: Investigations Unfold
The investigation into Chaurasia's actions has revealed troubling information regarding his state at the time of the crash. Initial rapid tests confirmed that drugs were present in Chaurasia’s blood following his detention, although these tests are not admissible in court. The Vadodara police have sent blood samples to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for a more thorough analysis.
Drug Use Confirmed by Rapid Test:
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Test Results: A rapid narcotics test confirmed the presence of drugs in Chaurasia's system after his detention.
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FSL Tests: Further testing of Chaurasia, Chauhan, and another friend’s blood samples will identify the exact nature of the substances consumed.
Alcohol Consumption: Evidence from CCTV Footage
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CCTV Footage: Surveillance footage shows Chaurasia arriving at his friend Suresh’s house around 10:30 pm. He can be seen holding and drinking from a bottle, though its contents remain unclear.
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Possible Alcohol Consumption: The bottle’s contents are still unknown, but this raises questions about whether alcohol was involved in the crash.
The Suspicious Bottle and Swapped Seats
CCTV footage from the night of the accident revealed some troubling details leading up to the crash. Around 10:30 pm, Chaurasia and Chauhan were seen arriving at their friend Suresh’s house on a scooter, with Chaurasia holding a bottle. Although the contents of the bottle were unclear, it appeared that Chaurasia may have consumed alcohol. The duo spent some time at Suresh's house before leaving around 11:25 pm.
Interestingly, while Chauhan initially took the driver's seat, it appears Chaurasia insisted on driving and convinced his friend to switch places. This shift in roles occurred shortly before the crash, which raises further questions about Chaurasia’s state of mind and his insistence on driving under questionable circumstances.
#WATCH | Vadodara, Gujarat: One woman has died, and four others are injured after an overspeeding four-wheeler rammed into a two-wheeler (14/03).
Accused Rakshit Ravish Chaurasia claims, " We were going ahead of the scooty, we were turning right and there was a pothole on the… pic.twitter.com/7UMundtDXH— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2025
Previous Incidents of Substance Abuse
This tragic event is not the first time Chaurasia has been linked to incidents involving alcohol or drugs. Just a month before the accident, reports surfaced of an altercation in which Chaurasia and his friends were allegedly involved in a drunken brawl. The local police were called to the scene after complaints were made about their disruptive behavior. Chaurasia and his friends were reportedly thrashed by locals before being let off with a warning.
In the aftermath of the crash, Chaurasia expressed deep regret for his actions, acknowledging his responsibility for the tragedy. He stated, “I want to meet the family of the victims, it is my fault, and whatever they want should happen.”
Police Findings: Drug Traces and Forensic Analysis
While the rapid test confirmed the presence of drugs, police are awaiting the results of the FSL tests, which will provide more conclusive evidence. FSL experts have explained that drug traces can remain in the bloodstream for up to 24 hours, unlike alcohol, which can be detected for a shorter period. The FSL’s gas chromatographic technique will be used to analyze the blood samples, which will allow authorities to pinpoint the specific drugs present in Chaurasia’s system at the time of the crash.
Forensic experts also noted that drug consumption can be detected in blood, hair, and nails, with each substance having a specific "secretion time" in the body. By analyzing the amount and type of drug present, authorities can determine when the substance was consumed and how it might have affected Chaurasia’s ability to drive safely.
Denials and Public Outrage
Chaurasia has denied being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. He claimed that he was not speeding and that he was only driving at 50-60 km/h when he hit a pothole and lost control of the vehicle. However, police are not convinced by his explanation, especially considering his strange behavior and the presence of drugs in his system.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among the public and victims’ families, many of whom are demanding strict action against those responsible for such reckless driving. Vikas Kevlani, one of the injured victims, stated, “A fine is not enough. Only strict action can prevent such incidents in the future.”
A Case of Reckless Driving and Substance Abuse?
As the investigation into the Vadodara hit-and-run accident continues, one thing is clear: the tragic incident could have been prevented if Chaurasia had not driven under the influence of intoxicants, whether alcohol or drugs. The ongoing forensic analysis and police probe will determine the full extent of Chaurasia’s culpability, but the case highlights the dangers of driving under the influence and the need for stricter enforcement of laws to prevent such tragedies in the future.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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