In another significant development in the March 13 Karelibaug car crash case, the Vadodara city police have filed a mammoth 3000-page chargesheet, outlining a sequence of reckless and unlawful decisions that led to the death of one woman and injuries to seven others. The primary accused, MS University law student Rakshit Chaurasiya, was allegedly behind the wheel, speeding at a staggering 140 kmph — with no attempt made to apply brakes before or after the crash.
The chargesheet was filed within the mandatory 90-day period on Tuesday and draws from forensic evidence, over 100 eyewitness statements, and data extracted from the vehicle’s Incident Data Recorder (IDR), provided by German carmaker Volkswagen. The crash vehicle, a high-end Volkswagen Virtus, recorded speeds ranging from 100 to 140 kmph, with the car continuing to move at top speed after the initial impact until its automatic braking system finally activated.
The Vadodara police are leaving no doubt about the gravity of the incident. Commissioner of Police Narasimha Komar told a certain section of the media, “We have detailed the report of the FSL, which has confirmed that Chaurasiya and his co-passenger Pranshu Chauhan were under the influence of drugs. They were aware that driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a crime, yet they took out the car.”
Further, Komar added, “Although they have been booked in a separate case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, they knowingly endangered the lives of people…”
The chargesheet not only outlines the sequence of events but builds a compelling case with technical and testimonial support. “The vehicle was a high-end one and the incident data recorder confirmed that the speed was grossly in excess of 100, even at 140 kmph at some spots. We also have eye witness accounts to fortify the case against them…” Komar said.
Chaurasiya’s friend and co-passenger, Pranshu Chauhan, has also been named as a co-accused.
However, the legal process has faced resistance in court. The Vadodara Sessions Court on Tuesday dismissed a revision petition filed by the city police, which had challenged an earlier Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court order directing the “immediate release from illegal detention” of Pranshu Chauhan. The JMFC order, issued on April 6, came after Chauhan alleged that he had been detained unlawfully at the Karelibaug Police Station.
Chauhan, who had already secured bail in the NDPS case lodged against him at Warasiya Police Station, claimed he was re-detained within minutes by Karelibaug police on April 5, under the pretext of the accident case. He alleged he had been held in illegal custody at Karelibaug station since April 3, without being informed of the reason for his detention, and was even kept overnight in custody without due process.
District Government Pleader Anil Desai had argued before the court that the JMFC court lacked jurisdiction in the matter, but Additional Sessions Judge M.A. Tailor upheld the magistrate’s order, ruling in Chauhan’s favour.
Commissioner Komar responded to the setback by stating, “We will go through the order in detail and seek legal opinion to see if we can appeal in a higher court… or if we should accept the order as it is.”
With the chargesheet filed and serious allegations of criminal negligence, substance abuse, and procedural lapses surfacing, the case now stands as a stark reminder of how recklessness behind the wheel — especially when laced with drugs — can upend lives and push legal institutions to their limits.
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