Soumya Ranjan Rath, who had been released on bail after a July fatality that killed a man in Bhubaneswar, was arrested on Monday morning when his car smashed into three pedestrians on the Cuttack‑Puri Bypass.
The incident unfolded at about 8:30 a.m., when Rath's vehicle struck a man standing by the roadside, then accelerated and collided with a motorcycle ridden by a couple who had stopped to help.
ACP Abhimanyu Nayak told reporters that Rath had a history of violent driving; he had earlier slammed his car into a roadside hotel owner over a dispute, and police suspect he was under the influence.
Police have registered a case under Sections 304B, 302, and 331 of the Indian Penal Code for attempted murder, rash driving, and endangering life.
The Regional Transport Office has ordered the cancellation of Rath's driving licence and the deregistration of the vehicle.
Rath's bail status will be reviewed by the court tomorrow, while investigators continue to analyze CCTV footage and eyewitness testimony.