A Bizarre Car Chase For This Gujarat Politician, Hunt For Runaway Scorpio

Ahmedabad: Senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela had some anxious moments when a speeding SUV tried to hit his official vehicle at least twice near Siddhpur town in Patan district today, police said.

The senior Congress leader however, dismissed the incident as not being deliberate and suspected that some youths were merely trying to "derive pleasure of racing."

The police have heightened efforts to trace the SUV though no formal complaint was lodged in this regard.

"The incident took place near Siddhpur town in Patan district on Unjha-Siddhpur road when the Scorpio overtook Vaghela's vehicle at least twice and came very close in an apparent attempt to hit it," said Mr Vaghela's personal secretary Nikhil Desai.

Mr Vaghela, travelling in his official Tata Innova which is fitted with a red beacon-cum-siren, was on his way to Deesa in Banaskantha district to attend a programme. He was accompanied by his driver and a security guard.

Explaining the sequence of events, Mr Desai said, "Sensing danger in the way his vehicle was being chased, Mr Vaghela's driver pulled in following which the Scorpio also stopped behind it. When Vaghela's armed guard approached the vehicle, it reversed and sped off".

Police, who were alerted about the incident, have launched a search for the Scorpio.

"We have been alerted about the incident and are investigating the matter. So far we have not been able to locate the said vehicle," said Siddhpur police inspector JB Pandit.

Mr Vaghela later told reporters that the persons in the Scorpio could be youths who were merely trying to race.

"Someone tried to race against my government vehicle with a red beacon and siren. We complained about it to police control room. As far as I can see, it could be the work of some youths trying to take pleasure out of racing but it did not look like anyone deliberately trying to hit my vehicle," he said.