Ranchi Hit by Tragic Hit-and-Run Incidents: Two Lives Lost in 24 Hours
Ranchi witnessed a series of devastating hit-and-run cases over the past 24 hours, resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries, as confirmed by police officials on Thursday. The incidents have sparked urgent calls for enhanced road safety measures in the city.
Drunk Driver Kills Businessman in Intentional Attack at House-Warming Party
In a shocking turn of events late Wednesday night, a drunk driver identified as Atul Chada, 32, rammed his vehicle into a group of people attending a house-warming party in Amravati Colony, under the jurisdiction of the Chutia police station. The area is strategically located near the Nepal House secretariat and the under-construction south side of Ranchi railway station.
The speeding vehicle struck half-a-dozen individuals, leading to the tragic death of Dharmendra Kumar, a 40-year-old city-based businessman, who succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital during treatment. Among the injured, a woman remains in critical condition, while others sustained minor wounds.
Police investigations revealed a disturbing motive behind the incident. SP (city) Paras Rana stated, "Atul intentionally targeted Dharmendra, with whom he had a long-standing friendship and business partnership. Financial tensions had escalated between them, culminating in an altercation at the party. Atul deliberately used his vehicle as a weapon, resulting in Dharmendra's death."
Following the crime, Chada fled the scene but was apprehended by police in a frantic search operation at approximately 3 am on Thursday from Ormanjhi, on the outskirts of Ranchi. Authorities recovered liquor bottles and snacks from his vehicle, further implicating him in drunk driving.
Chada has a notorious criminal record, with at least nine cases registered against him across various city police stations since 2012. A case has been filed at the Chutia police station under sections 109(1), 103(1), and 61(2) of the BNS for intentional murder and criminal conspiracy.
Second Fatal Collision on Busy Lalpur-Kokar Road
In a separate incident on Thursday afternoon, a speeding four-wheeler collided head-on with an e-rickshaw on the bustling Lalpur-Kokar road, under the Lalpur police station. The accident, occurring around 3:30 pm, critically injured five passengers, one of whom later died at Ranchi Sadar Hospital.
An eyewitness described the horrific scene, noting that the four-wheeler was traveling at an excessively high speed from the Lalpur Chowk direction before crashing into the e-rickshaw. This incident underscores the growing menace of rash driving in urban areas.
Police Launch Crackdown on Rash Driving
In response to these alarming events, Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to address the surge in reckless driving cases. He issued strict directives to the police force to intensify efforts against such offenders.
The SSP emphasized proactive measures, including:
- Enhanced surveillance of speeding vehicles during nighttime hours.
- Installation of sliders and barricades at key locations to deter high-speed driving.
- Immediate legal action against drivers violating traffic norms.
These steps aim to curb the rising tide of road accidents and ensure public safety in Ranchi. The community remains on edge as authorities work to restore order on the streets.
