B Ramanath Rai, the former Karnataka minister and senior Congress leader, sustained injuries in a violent collision on the Karkala-Moodbidri highway. A private bus traveling from Karkala toward Moodbidri struck the SUV Rai was riding in at Sanur Junction. The impact smashed the front of the vehicle, pinning the ex-minister inside.
Local residents rushed to the scene and spent a strenuous effort prying Rai out of the damaged SUV. He and four other passengers from both vehicles were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police sources confirmed the severity of the crash, noting the extensive structural damage to the front section of the car.
Karkala police have taken charge of the investigation. They are now working to determine how the bus failed to avoid the SUV, a question that will likely draw scrutiny given the high profile of the victim and the dangerous stretch of road involved.
The incident highlights the persistent safety concerns on this highway, a route frequently used by political figures and commuters alike. While Rai's condition is currently under medical assessment, the focus now shifts to the police inquiry and the immediate aftermath of the rescue operation.