Odisha: Man Arrested for Ramming Car into Bystanders
A 20-year-old man was arrested in Bhubaneswar for allegedly driving his car into people who were helping an accident victim on the Puri bypass road.
In a chilling incident that has shocked the residents of Bhubaneswar, a 20-year-old man was arrested for allegedly using his vehicle as a weapon against innocent bystanders. The accused, identified as Soumya Ranjan Rath, reportedly targeted people who had gathered to provide medical assistance to an accident victim on the Puri bypass road.
A Horrific Sequence of Events
The incident unfolded around 7:30 am on October 12 near SR Valley Chhaka, within the jurisdiction of the Badagada police station. According to the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police, the chaos began when Rath allegedly struck a person standing on the roadside with his car and sped away toward Keshura Chhaka.
Witnesses, including Ratikanta Singh and his wife, Annapurna Singh, who were traveling on a motorcycle, stopped at the scene to help the injured individual. While they and other passersby were attempting to arrange medical aid, the car suddenly returned from the opposite direction at high speed. In a deliberate and terrifying move, the vehicle rammed into Singh, his wife, and several others standing at the spot.
Accused Apprehended After Vehicle Stalls
The driver's attempt to escape was thwarted when his vehicle stalled while he was trying to turn it around. Seizing the opportunity, the crowd present at the scene apprehended Rath before the police arrived. Investigations further revealed that prior to this attack, the accused had also been involved in a collision involving the owner and staff of a local Dhaba.
A Pattern of Violence and Criminal History
The police investigation has uncovered a disturbing pattern of behavior. It was revealed that approximately three months ago, Rath was allegedly involved in a similar intentional accident near Shastri Nagar Chhaka. That previous incident resulted in a fatality, leading to his arrest and subsequent release on bail.
The authorities have confirmed that Rath faces a significant criminal record. At the time of his latest arrest, he had five criminal cases registered against him: four under the Badagada police station and one under the Kharavela Nagar police station. Following his arrest on October 12, the accused was produced before the court, and police have seized the car along with three other vehicles damaged in the various accidents.