Vadodara Crash: Drugs Found in Accused’s Blood

Rakshit Chaurasia, the man accused in last month’s fatal car crash in Vadodara that killed one woman and injured seven others, was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident, police confirmed on Friday.

Officials said a primary report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar revealed that Chaurasia had consumed marijuana, though he was not under the influence of alcohol. 

Blood samples of his co-passenger Praanshu Chauhan and another friend, Suresh Bharwad, who were both in the vehicle during the crash, also tested positive for drugs.

The medical report, released nearly 20 days after the incident, confirmed drug use by all three individuals. All three have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Additionally, officials have invoked Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, against Chaurasia for driving under the influence of intoxicating substances.

While Chauhan has been arrested, Chaurasia remains in custody at Vadodara Central Jail. Bharwad is currently absconding.

“We received the result of the three blood samples today, which showed positive for drugs. They were driving the car after smoking marijuana. We have arrested Rakshit Chaurasia's co-passenger and the third accused will be arrested soon,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 4, Panna Momaya.

The crash occurred on March 13, when Chaurasia, a 23-year-old law student from Prayagraj, drove a Volkswagen Virtus sedan into three vehicles near Amrapali Chaar Rasta in Karelibaug, a busy intersection in Vadodara. 

The collision resulted in the death of Hemali Patel and injuries to seven others. The incident, which was captured on camera, drew nationwide attention.

Following the crash, a video of Chaurasia surfaced online, in which he was seen wearing a black T-shirt and repeatedly shouting “Another round, another round!” and the chant “Om Namah Shivay!”

He was arrested the following day and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Chaurasia, a student at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, initially denied speeding or being under the influence. He attributed the crash to a malfunction caused by the vehicle’s airbags.

“We were overtaking a scooter and turned right when we hit a pothole. The car touched another vehicle, and the airbag deployed, impairing my vision and causing the car to go out of control...I was told that a woman died and others were injured. I want to meet the victims' families — it is my fault,” he said.