A 72-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run incident near the Mahila College underpass on Kalawad Road in Rajkot early Monday morning. The victim, identified as Natwarlal Rathod, was cycling to the Sankalp Siddh Hanumanji Temple when a black car struck him around 5:15 a.m. and fled the scene.
Incident Details
According to police, Rathod was on his way to the temple when the car hit his bicycle. The accident came to light after a caller informed Rathod's younger brother, Praful Rathod, 61, about the incident. Praful, who lived with his brother on Kothariya Main Road, rushed to Civil Hospital after learning that Natwarlal had been taken there unconscious by emergency services. Doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
FIR and Investigation
Praful Rathod later lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at the Malaviya Nagar police station against the unidentified driver of a black car. The FIR was filed under charges of causing death by negligence and rash driving, as per the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Police Inspector J M Kaila stated that the collision was captured on CCTV cameras in the area. “We have obtained footage from nearby cameras and are working to identify the car’s registration number and trace the owner,” he said.
Background
Police revealed that the deceased’s son has been residing in the United States for the past six years. The incident has shaken the local community, highlighting concerns over road safety in the area.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining CCTV footage to track down the vehicle and its driver.
