Man arrested after Audi goes on rampage in Ahmedabad The M Division Traffic Police, in a statement, said Panchal, who appeared to be under the influence of “some intoxicating substance”, had knowingly put lives of others at risk.
The incident took place on Ambli-Bopal road Monday. A man driving an Audi, allegedly at a high speed and in a drunken state, went on a rampage on Monday morning, hitting a number of cars and two-wheelers before running into a BRTS lane fence, police said.
The incident took place at 9.30 am, near the main gate of Ambli village in Ahmedabad city. The accused, 41-year-old Ripal Mahesh Panchal, hit at least six cars, one of them twice, and three two-wheelers, before the BRTS fence brought him to a stop opposite the Tata Motors showroom in the area.
No one was reported injured in the incident, said police. Panchal has been arrested. The M Division Traffic Police, in a statement, said Panchal, who appeared to be under the influence of “some intoxicating substance”, had knowingly put lives of others at risk. The FIR, filed on the basis of a complaint by Ashish Damodar Gupta, who was heading to the Tata Motors premises in his car, stated that the Audi came at full speed from ISKCON-Bopal road and hit his vehicle.
The luxury car driver continued his run and hit a two-wheeler, throwing its rider, a woman, on the road, the FIR further said. He then hit another motorbike before running into a Tata Harrier SUV. The car kept charging forward and hit another car, a Tata Altroz, said the FIR.
A mini truck and a Mahindra XUV 300 parked ahead were also hit by the Audi.
Police booked Panchal under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 281 (rash driving), 324 (4) (committing mischief and causing damage), and 125(a) (endangering human life) along with Motor Vehicles Act’s section 177 (violation of act), 184 (endangering lives by reckless driving), and 185 (driving under influence). Besides, he was booked under Prohibition Act section 66(1)(b) (consume, use, possess or transport alcohol) as well as sections 3 (mischief to public property) and 7 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Meanwhile, according to a statement by Neeta Desai, DCP Traffic (West), two police personnel, Head Constable Sirajuddin Yunuskhan and Constable Pruthvirajsinh Bharatsinh, have been suspended for alleged negligence. Besides, an inquiry headed by ACP SJ Modi of Traffic A Division will investigate the alleged delay in calling the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) and filing FIR on part of in-charge Inspector PM Marwada and ASI Ratilal Mohanlal.
The incident comes a little over a year after a Jaguar car, being driven at a speed of over 140 kmph, mowed down nine people and injured 13 others on the SG Highway ISKCON flyover in July 2023.