Bhopal: A 38-year-old software engineer working with a multinational company died after being run over by a speeding car in the parking area of an apartment complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore city, police said on Thursday.
Officials familiar with the matter said the incident occurred on Wednesday night after a dispute between residents and the family of a penthouse owner over renting the property through online accommodation platform Airbnb.
“The victim, identified as Shamba Pathak Pandey, an Infosys employee, succumbed to her injuries at a Bombay hospital,” police said.
A video of the incident surfaced on social media on Thursday, showing the accused, Mohit Chaudhary, hitting a domestic helper and Pandey with his car. Police arrested Mohit Chaudhary and his father, Kuldeep Chaudhary, officials said.
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“The incident occurred around 10:30 pm in Shiv Vatika town on Highway 11. Kuldeep Choudhary had rented his apartment through Airbnb. Residents had objected to guests arriving frequently and late at night,” said Lasudiya Town Inspector Tarnesh Soni.
“The situation escalated after the residents cut off the electricity in the penthouse, after which Kuldeep Chaudhary cut off the electricity in other flats, leading to a confrontation. He called his son, who arrived in a car and hit some people. He first hit a domestic helper and then hit Shamba Pandey,” the officer added.
Pandey’s husband, Saurabh Pandey, said the family had recently moved into the building and went to the parking area after hearing a commotion. He claimed, “Amidst the chaos, the accused ran over my wife and her domestic help. He also tried to hit me, but I managed to escape. Later, he rammed the car into a wall.”
Residents claimed that the penthouse was not part of the original building plan, and had previously complained to the construction company about violations and alleged disturbances associated with its use, but no action was taken.
“CCTV footage of the incident has been seized and a case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections. Further investigations are underway,” the inspector said.
