A 35-year-old Rapido passenger was killed after a speeding Range Rover rammed into the motorcycle he was travelling on near Shilaj Circle in Ahmedabad on Wednesday morning.

The SUV was being driven by Raghavendra Kushwaha, the nephew of BJP MLA Dineshsinh Kushwaha, who was taken into custody by police on Thursday and subsequently released.

The handling of the case has raised questions, particularly over the delay in taking action against the accused and conflicting statements by police officials about whether his blood sample was collected.

The accident took place around 6.45 am on November 11, near Gurukrupa Crossroads in the Shilaj area. The deceased was identified as Harshad Kumar Narsinghbhai Purabia, who worked as a security guard. He was travelling on a Rapido motorcycle ridden by 50-year-old Pradeep Kumar Dadwal.

According to the FIR registered at Bopal police station, Dadwal picked up Harshad from Shastrinagar at around 6.25 am and was heading towards Shilaj. As they approached Gurukrupa Crossroads near Shilaj Circle, Harshad asked the rider to take a right turn.

Dadwal slowed down and began turning. When the motorcycle had crossed nearly three-fourths of the road, a Range Rover approaching from the Shilaj side rammed into it, throwing both men onto the road.

Harshad suffered serious injuries to his head, left leg and other parts of his body, while Dadwal sustained minor injuries. Both were taken to Sola Civil Hospital, after which Harshad was shifted to CIMS Hospital in Thaltej. He died during treatment.

DRIVER FLED AFTER COLLISION, POLICE TRACE SUV

The FIR stated that the Range Rover driver fled the spot after the collision. Dadwal told police that a person present at the accident site gave him the vehicle's registration number, written on a piece of paper.

Police subsequently traced the vehicle and identified Kushwaha as the driver. The 35-year-old, who is associated with the construction and real estate business, is the nephew of Bapunagar BJP MLA Dineshsinh Kushwaha.

According to the police investigation, Kushwaha was returning from an overnight party in Kalol, Gandhinagar, and was on his way to drop off his friends when the accident occurred.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Neelam Goswami said Kushwaha was taken into custody on November 12. The Range Rover was seized and sent for forensic examination, while the Regional Transport Office (RTO) was asked to inspect the vehicle.

QUESTIONS OVER POLICE ACTION, BLOOD SAMPLE

Kushwaha's release after being taken into custody has triggered questions over the police response, including the time taken to act against him and the decision to release him from the police station.

Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat said the accused was served a notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

"We issued him a notice under Section 35(3) of the BNSS because there is no provision for arrest in this case," Jat said, explaining why Kushwaha was not kept in custody.

Goswami said the accused underwent a medical examination and his statement was recorded. She also said the initial police investigation had found no indication that he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

However, a discrepancy emerged over whether Kushwaha's blood sample had been collected. Goswami said no blood sample was taken, while the local police inspector maintained that a sample had been collected.

The conflicting statements have raised questions about whether an alcohol test was conducted and whether the investigation has established if Kushwaha was under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicant at the time of the crash.

FIR REGISTERED UNDER BNS, MOTOR VEHICLES ACT

The Bopal police station registered a case under Sections 106(1) (causing death by a rash or negligent act), 281 (rash driving), 125(a) and 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The FIR also invokes Sections 134(b), 177 and 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Police have seized the Range Rover and initiated forensic and RTO examinations. Further legal action will depend on the findings of the investigation and the evidence collected.

- Ends