A 21-year-old college student from Vasai has been arrested for allegedly knocking down a policeman and a Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) jawan with his car while speeding through a checkpoint in Marine Drive early on Sunday. The incident occurred around 5:30 am near Garware Chowk, where a routine three-layer nakabandi was set up.
Details of the Incident
According to police, the student, identified as Nihal Arjun Solanki, was driving a car with three friends. When security personnel gestured for him to stop, he accelerated instead, hitting Assistant Sub-Inspector Krishnkant Mishra (56) and MSF Jawan Ajay Rathor (24). Both fell onto the road, and the driver fled without stopping to help. Mishra sustained head injuries and a hip fracture and is undergoing treatment at Bombay Hospital. Rathor was discharged after treatment at GT Hospital.
Arrest and Investigation
Police tracked down Solanki to his home in Vasai using a piece of the car's license plate that broke off at the scene. Charges include attempt to murder, act endangering life or personal safety, mischief under BNS, and dangerous driving under the Motor Vehicles Act. He has been remanded in police custody until May 28. Police are also investigating whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Solanki, a computer science student, had taken a joyride to Marine Drive early Sunday. The car was registered to a Lonavla resident who had sold it to Solanki's father, but ownership transfer was incomplete. Police seized the vehicle for examination by RTO experts. Solanki reportedly holds a valid driving license.
