Five people were injured in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh state after an SUV allegedly hit by the son of a BJP MLA on Thursday, police said. Dinesh Lodhi, son of Pichhore MLA Pritam Lodhi, was driving his Mahindra Thar at around 7.30 pm in Karera area.
Vehicle first Police said the motorcycle collided from behind, injuring three friends, Sanjay, Ashish and Anshul Parihar, who were on their way to Dhanra village.
The car also hit two women, Sita Verma and Pooja Soni, who were walking in front of them on the same side of the road, PTI reported.
Sanjay Parihar was seriously injured, while the others sustained injuries to their heads, limbs and shoulders. Passers-by transported the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The police said The SUV is marked “Vidhayak” (MLA), and based on the statements of the victims, Dinesh Lodhi was driving it at the time of the accident.
A video showing the aftermath of the accident has now gone viral. In a clip shared by journalists, Lodhi was seen arguing with passersby and blaming the victims for not paving the road.
“When I was using the siren and honking, why didn’t they move away? Three people were sitting on the bike and they were swerving,” he was heard saying in a clip shared by NDTV. He was also seen warning passers-by not to record him.
A case has been registered against him under Section 281 (rash and negligent driving endangering life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigations are underway, Karera police station in-charge Vinod Chavai said.
MLA Pritam Lodhi said the police must act with integrity and ensure justice to the victims.
Rash and negligent driving is punishable under Section 281 of the BNS 2023, which replaces the previous provision of the IPC.
The article states that driving a vehicle on a public road in a way that endangers human life or is likely to cause injury is punishable by imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of up to six months. $1000 or both.
The crime is cognizable, bailable, and triable by a magistrate.
