In a significant development in the car accident episode in Vadodara’s Karelibaug area on March 13, the accused, Rakshit Chaurasia, a law student, is under investigation for driving under the influence of drugs. A narcotics rapid test kit has confirmed the presence of drugs in his blood, though the test is not admissible in court.
Chaurasia, along with his co-passenger Pranshu Chauhan and a third friend, had blood samples sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for further testing. Experts at the FSL clarified that while drug traces can remain detectable in blood samples for up to 24 hours, unlike alcohol, which dissipates in eight hours, even small amounts of drugs can lead to charges.
“Unlike the case of alcohol consumption, where the condition is that the level of alcohol in the blood should be above 50 mg to be considered a crime, in cases of drug consumption even a smaller quantity detected in the bloodstream is an offence. Also, unlike alcohol, which wears off from the blood samples within eight hours, slimming down the chance of detection, drug traces can be detected in blood samples for about 24 hours… In alcohol cases, after 16 hours, the chances of detection are nil,” an FSL expert told a national daily.
“The breath analysers in case of alcohol and the rapid kit tests for narcotics are the first step in the detection of intoxication. The breath analysers, in the case of alcohol, and the saliva swabs used for rapid kits for narcotics, will only detect the qualitative presence of the intoxicant but with the detailed test of the blood sample at FSL, we can ascertain the exact quantity and nature of the drug. The report takes about a week as positive tests are repeated to tally reference values, in order to be conclusively sure of the indication…”
The testing process includes both the rapid test and gas chromatography techniques to conclusively identify the type and quantity of drugs in the bloodstream, with results typically available within a week. The FSL expert explained that gas chromatography is a definitive method that helps determine the exact nature of the drugs consumed and the timing of ingestion.
The expert added that even though blood samples are a must as evidence in courts of law, samples of hair and nail examination can reveal the presence of drugs for up to 100 days.
Vadodara police are awaiting the final FSL report, expected next week, to determine if charges related to driving under the influence of drugs will be added to the case. Meanwhile, authorities are also investigating Chaurasia’s behaviour and statements after the crash, suspecting he may have been under the influence of an intoxicant during the incident.
Car owner didn’t want to hand the keys to Chaurasia
Meanwhile, in another revelation, it has emerged that Pranshu Chauhan, whose father owned the car, wanted to take the wheel. He gave in when Chaurasia insisted that he wanted to drive. In a video footage, Chaurasia is purportedly seen “pushing Chauhan away” from the steering wheel.
The police told the daily that Chaurasia “remained uncooperative” during the investigation and made multiple visits to the SSG hospital for the “injuries” sustained during the crash.
A senior officer told the media, “During the three days in custody, Chaurasia continued to remain evasive, was restless, twitchy, and did not part with important details being a law student himself; he continued to complain of uneasiness time and again, requiring the police to rush him to SSG hospital for treatment. He had a few injuries, mainly from the glass shards of the vehicle…”
Not the first time
It has also come to light that Chaurasia got off-side with the law several times in the past. It’s reported that on February 19, Chaurasia and his friends, including Chauhan, allegedly assaulted a lawyer in the Fatehgunj area of Vadodara city. The lawyer, according to reports, objected to the nuisance caused by some boys in a flat in a building where he has an office.
Recently, Chaurasia was reportedly involved in another incident of rash driving in public, though no police case was lodged.
The police believe that had someone lodged a complaint against him, Chaurasia wouldn’t have been emboldened to continue his reckless actions.
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