Hyderabad witnessed a tragic series of road accidents over the past day, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including two young students. The city police have confirmed that none of these fatal incidents were connected to drunk driving or New Year's Eve celebrations.
Details of the Fatal Incidents
The first accident occurred on Wednesday night in Kondapur. D Shankar, a 19-year-old Instamart worker from Sriram Nagar Colony, was on his way to work on his brother's motorcycle around 10:30 PM. According to Gachibowli Inspector K. Balaraju, the vehicle fell onto the road near Palapitta Park while heading towards Kothaguda.
"We suspect the bike's footrest came into contact with the road divider, causing him to fall. He sustained a critical head injury," Inspector Balaraju stated. Locals alerted the police, who rushed Shankar to Gandhi Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. As he was commuting to work, police do not suspect he was under the influence of alcohol. Viscera samples have been preserved for forensic analysis.
Early Morning Collision Claims Electrician's Life
In a separate and deadly collision at 2:30 AM on Thursday, a car carrying five people rammed into a truck from behind on the outskirts of the city. The accident, which took place under Abdullapurmet police limits, resulted in the death of Ch Venkatesham, a 45-year-old electrician from Edulagudem village in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district.
Four others from his village—G Naresh, P Lingaswamy, K Srinu, and driver G Sampath Reddy—were injured. Inspector V Ashok Reddy explained that the group was returning to their village after attending to personal work in Moinabad. "The accident occurred solely due to speeding and negligent driving. Drunk driving has been ruled out in this case as well," the inspector confirmed.
Student Dies in Narsingi Bike Crash
The third tragedy struck on Wednesday afternoon in Narsingi. Kavya, a 20-year-old third-year BCA student from a private college in Himayatnagar, died on the spot after the motorcycle she was riding pillion on crashed. The rider, her friend T Kaushik Reddy from Tandur, suffered severe injuries.
Police reports indicate that the bike, travelling from Aziznagar towards Kalimandir, lost control due to high speed and collided with a DCM van parked near the Telangana State Police Academy. Tragically, Kaushik Reddy later died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital on Thursday. Following a complaint from Kavya's family, the Narsingi police have registered a case under section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police Action on New Year's Eve
In an unrelated but simultaneous development, the city's EAGLE Force conducted extensive anti-narcotics checks on New Year's Eve. In a coordinated operation with Prohibition and Excise teams and local police, 15 EAGLE Force teams screened patrons at various pubs and resorts.
Out of 51 people screened at these venues, four DJs tested positive for ganja consumption. At roadside checkpoints, 38 more people were screened, leading to one motorist testing positive for cannabis use. All five individuals were arrested and charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
These incidents have cast a shadow over the city, highlighting persistent road safety concerns despite police assertions that reckless speed and negligence, not alcohol, were the primary causes of the fatal crashes.
