MLA Nephew Driving Range Rover Kills Rapido Passenger in Ahmedabad

A fatal traffic collision in Ahmedabad has drawn intense scrutiny after a speeding luxury vehicle struck a motorcycle carrying a security guard and his passenger, resulting in one fatality and the swift release of the driver. The incident occurred in the morning hours as fifty-year-old rider Pradeep Dadwal was transporting a passenger identified as Purabia.

According to local reports, the motorcycle had slowed down and was preparing to make a right turn when a fast-moving Range Rover approaching from the opposite direction crashed into them. The impact hurled both individuals onto the asphalt, leaving Purabia with severe injuries. Although he was rushed to a nearby medical facility and later transferred to an advanced hospital, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. Pradeep Dadwal sustained minor injuries in the mishap.

The driver of the sport utility vehicle fled the scene immediately after the collision. However, witnesses at the site noted the registration number, enabling law enforcement to trace the vehicle. Authorities identified the person behind the wheel as thirty-five-year-old Raghavendra Kushwaha. Reports indicate that Raghavendra Kushwaha is the nephew of Bapunagar legislator Dineshsinh Kushwaha. The driver works in the real estate and construction sectors and was reportedly returning from a social gathering while dropping off friends when the crash took place.

Questions Raised Over Police Response

Following the identification of the vehicle, the police registered a formal case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act. Deputy Superintendent of Police Neelam Goswami stated that the accused was taken into custody and the vehicle was impounded for forensic evaluation, with the Regional Transport Office also asked to inspect it.

Despite the detention, the driver was released shortly afterward on a legal notice, provoking allegations of institutional mishandling. Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat defended the decision, explaining that a notice was issued under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita because the specific legal provisions did not mandate an arrest in this situation. Officials confirmed that Kushwaha underwent a medical evaluation and gave a blood sample for testing to determine if intoxicants were involved, though conflicting statements emerged regarding whether the sample was successfully gathered.

A speeding Range Rover driven by an MLA nephew killed a Rapido passenger and sparked police mishandling claims.

Why it matters

This incident highlights critical questions regarding accountability in traffic accidents involving politically connected individuals. The decision to release the driver on a notice rather than pursuing extended detention has ignited public debate over potential disparities in law enforcement and judicial processes for citizens versus those with political ties.