A 27-year-old Dona Paula resident, Jagdish Sardessai, was arrested by Panaji police on Wednesday for drunk, rash, and negligent driving after his BMW crashed into multiple vehicles, damaging three cars. The incident occurred late Tuesday night when Sardessai was driving from NIO Circle to Manipal Hospital. CCTV footage showed the speeding BMW swerving into the opposite lane, hitting parked vehicles, and then colliding with an oncoming four-wheeler. The impact brought both cars to a halt.
After arresting the driver, who was found to be inebriated, police stated that he would be produced before the court on Thursday. A video of the accused showed him stepping out of the car with a female passenger after the accident and abusing people gathered at the scene. “Don’t accidents happen? You don’t move, stay where you are,” he shouted at those present, including police personnel. The video, widely circulated on social media, showed a significant crowd of locals gathered around Sardessai’s car.
Previous Offence
This is not Sardessai’s first offence. A local court had previously fined him Rs 10,000 for a drunken driving incident. The repeated behaviour raises concerns about road safety and enforcement of traffic laws in the state.
Legal Proceedings
Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act. The accused is expected to face charges of drunk driving, rash driving, and causing damage to public property. The court will decide on bail and further proceedings on Thursday.
The incident highlights the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and the need for stricter penalties to deter such behaviour. Authorities urge citizens to report any instances of drunk driving to prevent accidents and save lives.
