Chhattisgarh businessman’s son held after speeding SUV kills 1, injures 7

Following the incident, locals ransacked the house of the accused driver and damaged vehicles parked there

Raipur : A man was killed and seven others were injured after a speeding SUV rammed into a mini goods vehicle carrying people in Bemetara city, police said on Monday. Following the incident, locals ransacked the house of the alleged accused driver and damaged vehicles parked there. Later in the day, the accused driver, identified as 19-year-old Krish Saluja, son of a businessman Balmeet Singh Saluja, was arrested from Raipur, police added.

The accused driver fled the spot after the crash. (Representational image)

The accident took place on Sunday night in Singhauri ward under the City Kotwali police station limits, a senior police officer said. Around 17 people from Boriya-Bagod village were returning home after attending a family function in Baijalpur village when the SUV, a Land Rover Defender, allegedly driven by Krish Saluja, hit the vehicle from behind.

The impact left several passengers seriously injured. One of them, 27-year-old Jeevan Sahu, died during treatment, while three critically injured persons were referred to Raipur for further medical care, police said.

The accused had fled the spot after the crash, and his vehicle was later found parked outside his residence. His father, Balmeet Singh Saluja, was also detained and questioned in connection with the case, police said.

Tension prevailed in the area after the accident as locals vandalised the accused’s house and damaged several cars and motorcycles. Later, a crowd gathered outside the police station, accusing authorities of inaction. Protesters also placed the victim’s body on National Highway-30, blocking traffic for several hours and demanding strict action against the driver. The residents have called for a bandh in Bemetara on Tuesday.

Bemetara senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ramakrishna Sahu said the case is being taken seriously and legal action is underway.

“The accused, Krish Saluja, was arrested on Monday from Raipur and produced in court. His blood samples have been sent for examination to ascertain whether he was under the influence of alcohol or not when the incident took place,” the SSP said.

He further said the condition of the injured persons is stable and they are undergoing treatment at the district hospital in Bemetara.

“We appeal to the public to maintain peace,” he added, stating that police personnel have been deployed across the city to prevent any untoward incident.