Three people, including a teenager, got injured after a speeding car ran through a crowd during the immersion of a Durga idol in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal late on Saturday. The driver was arrested this morning but was later released on bail, the police said today.
The accused, who was on his way to Indore from Bengaluru, had panicked after a bystander got violent and smashed the car's window after it hit him, sources said. "During the investigation, it was found that the accused had stopped to have food near the railway station in Bhopal. While reversing the car, the vehicle hit one of the bystanders. The bystander got violent and smashed the car, as a result of which he reversed the car at high speed to escape from getting hurt," a police source said.
A video of the incident, shared by a bystander, showed the car driver reversing the car at high speed while the people are seen trying to save themselves by moving away from the path of the vehicle. A 16-year-old boy got reportedly dragged by the car and is said to be in critical condition.
The incident occurred on the road outside the Bhopal railway station when the procession was moving forward. An on-duty police head constable also sustained minor injuries to his leg, a police official said.
"The driver has been arrested and charged under relevant sections. The car has also been seized. No traces of alcohol were found in his blood," DIG Bhopal Irshad Wali said.
This is the second such incident to take place on Saturday.
In neighbouring Chhattisgarh, a person was killed and 16 others were injured after allegedly being run over by a car during an immersion possession in the state's Jashpur district.
In a tweet, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed sadness over the incident and assured that justice will be served.
"The Jashpur incident is very sad and heartbreaking. The culprits were immediately arrested. Prima facie action has also been taken against the police officers who appeared guilty. An inquiry has been ordered. No one will be spared. Justice will be given to all. May God rest the soul of the departed in peace," Mr Baghel said in a tweet in Hindi.
The Chhattisgarh police have arrested two accused and assured to take strict action against them.
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