Sedan Collides with Guardrails During Republic Day Rehearsals in Kolkata
A sedan reportedly traveling at high speed crashed into police guardrails at the J&K Crossing near Kolkata's iconic Red Road on Saturday morning. The incident occurred as parade contingents were beginning to report for final rehearsals ahead of Republic Day celebrations.
Details of the Morning Incident
Around 7:35 AM, the car approached Red Road from Kidderpore Road at considerable speed. Police officers signaled the vehicle to stop, but instead of complying, the driver attempted to flee toward Park Street via Outram Road. During this attempted escape, the sedan crashed into two police guardrails positioned at J&K Island.
The driver, identified as 22-year-old Arman Agarwal, a student and resident of Canal South Road, was immediately detained by officers and taken to Maidan Police Station for questioning. During interrogation, Agarwal claimed he and his friends were heading toward central Kolkata for tea.
Vehicle Documentation Issues Uncovered
Upon closer inspection, police discovered significant irregularities with the vehicle's documentation. Both the insurance coverage and pollution certificate for the sedan had expired between 2023 and 2024, raising additional legal concerns beyond the traffic violation.
Legal proceedings were initiated against Agarwal, who was subsequently shown arrested and produced before the Bankshall Court. The court granted him bail on a personal bond of ₹1,000, though police indicated further legal action would follow based on their investigation findings.
Police Account of the Events
Officers managing vehicular movement during the rehearsal preparations provided additional context about the incident. "The rehearsals were scheduled to begin at 8:30 AM, and only Red Road itself had been made out of bounds at that time," explained one officer involved in traffic management.
"We had just decided to shut other roads after 7:30 AM. Vehicles that had entered Kidderpore Road from Hospital Road and Hastings side were still moving out when this car approached in the extreme left lane, apparently intending to drive straight to Red Road," the officer continued.
According to police accounts, when the driver realized the road was blocked and that he would collide with the guardrail, he attempted a sharp right turn while officers at the scene raised alarms. Due to the vehicle's excessive speed combined with the sudden maneuver, the driver lost control, causing the sedan's left corner to ram into the guardrails.
"The driver did not disregard any blocks, nor was there any security breach," emphasized the officer, providing a different perspective from initial reports of deliberate evasion.
Echoes of a Tragic Past Incident
The Saturday morning crash brought back memories of a far more serious accident that occurred at the same location in 2016. During Republic Day rehearsals that year, another speeding high-end car broke through barricades, resulting in the tragic death of Air Force Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud.
Fortunately, Saturday's incident resulted in no injuries, marking a significant difference from the fatal outcome eight years prior. Police confirmed that despite the dramatic nature of the crash, all individuals involved emerged physically unharmed.
Ongoing Investigation
Maidan Police Station officers confirmed they are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. "We interrogated him to ascertain if he was aware of the rehearsals and if he knew about the expired vehicle documentation," stated an officer from the police station.
Authorities have preserved CCTV footage from the area as part of their investigation, which will help establish the precise sequence of events and determine whether additional charges beyond traffic violations might be warranted.
The incident highlights the challenges of managing traffic and security during major public events in urban centers, particularly in historically significant locations like Red Road that serve as venues for national celebrations.
