In a shocking incident, a speeding SUV plowed through pedestrians and vehicles in Jaipur’s Nahargarh area late Monday night, killing three people and injuring at least seven others. The driver has been identified as Usman Hasan who was reportedly heavily intoxicated at the occurence of the crime. He was quickly apprehended by locals and handed over to the police. As per reports, the accused driver, Usman, is a Congress party worker, who has now been expelled by the grand old party.
According to Additional DCP (North) Bajrang Singh, two victims — Avdesh Pareek (37) and Mamta (50) — died on the spot, while others are undergoing treatment at SMS Hospital.
“The condition of some injured is critical, and the death toll may rise,” he said.
Multiple reports of the same car creating mayhem on MI Road and in the Galta Gate area were made to the police before the Nahargarh incident. The initial investigations indicate that the driver was drunk and had very little control of the car.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as the SUV sped through narrow lanes, colliding with parked vehicles and knocking people off bikes and onto the pavement.
“The vehicle was moving erratically, and people were screaming as it mowed down everything in its path,” said Dilkush Kachotiya, a witness returning from the Santoshi Mata Temple.
ACP (Kotwali) Anoop Singh also confirmed that the driver Usman has been arrested, and the car impounded.
Local politicians and senior officers, including Kishanpole MLA Amin Kagzi and Hawa Mahal MLA Balmukundacharya, also went to the hospital to visit the victims. Kagzi mentioned that a woman and her brother were seriously injured, as well as a 17-year-old girl.
However, Kagzi has dismissed any political protection for the accused.
Balmukund Acharya, the BJP MLA from Hawa Mahal has charged the accused, Usman Hasan, of being a Congress party worker and insisted that he should be hanged for “willfully” running over pedestrians. Reposing faith in CM Bhajanlal Sharma’s government, Acharya said bulldozer action would be taken against the culprits and compensation would be given to the victims’ families.
Police are still trying to determine the full scope of the rampage.
