Bopal police arrested Raghavendra Kushwaha, the nephew of Bapunagar BJP legislator Dineshsinh Kushwaha, more than 40 hours after his speeding Range Rover allegedly slammed into a motorcycle near Shilaj Circle, killing a 35-year-old commuter and seriously injuring the driver.
Police took Kushwaha into custody following intense scrutiny over law enforcement delays. The victim died instantly. Harshbhai Purbia, 35, was riding pillion on a commercial Rapido motorcycle when the luxury sports utility vehicle rammed the two-wheeler around 7 am on Wednesday morning. The crash flung both riders onto the asphalt, leaving the motorcycle operator with severe traumatic injuries while the Range Rover sped away from the intersection without stopping.
Kushwaha, a 35-year-old real estate operator, was returning to Ahmedabad with four friends after an all-night gathering in the Kalol area of Gandhinagar. The impact crushed the rear frame of the motorcycle. Yet rather than rendering aid or calling emergency dispatchers, the occupants sped away from the junction.
Police tracked the SUV across toll checkpoints. Investigators combed surveillance camera feeds along the Shilaj Circle perimeter and adjacent arterial roads, locking onto the Range Rover's registration plates as it navigated away from the crash site. That visual trail led Bopal police directly to Kushwaha, ending a 40-hour evasion.
The accused fled the spot immediately after the collision. We identified the vehicle and traced the driver through registration logs and surrounding surveillance footage.
Investigating Officer, Ahmedabad Rural Police
During initial interrogation, Kushwaha acknowledged leaving the scene but insisted panic dictated his flight. He also claimed he was completely sober during the morning drive.
Ahmedabad Rural Police now face searing internal and public questions over their initial handling of the case. Local units faced formal allegations of shielding the ruling party legislator's nephew after officers failed to perform a prompt medical and blood-alcohol screening immediately after the incident. Station records show authorities initially cleared Kushwaha for bail at the precinct desk before public outrage forced a formal arrest.
The delay compromised crucial forensic windows. Alcohol metabolizes within hours, making retrospective clinical testing difficult to sustain in court.
| Case Parameter | Official Status |
|---|---|
| Primary Accused | Raghavendra Kushwaha (35) |
| Political Affiliation | Nephew of Dineshsinh Kushwaha, MLA for Bapunagar |
| Deceased Victim | Harshbhai Purbia (35), Pillion Passenger |
| Vehicle Involved | Range Rover Luxury SUV |
| Incident Location | Shilaj Circle, Ahmedabad Rural Jurisdiction |
| Time of Collision | Approximately 7:00 AM, Wednesday |
Bopal police investigators are scheduled to present Kushwaha before an Ahmedabad district magistrate to seek extended police remand for vehicle reconstruction and formal recording of witness testimonies.
| Arrest Timeline |
| Formal arrest executed over 40 hours post-crash |
| Custodial Status | Detained under active police interrogation |