Truck driver held after accident that killed Chhattisgarh TV anchor’s husband

The driver, who was on the run, was arrested from Rajnandgaon.

Updated on: Apr 10, 2017, 08:39:32 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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The Chhattisgarh Police on Sunday arrested a driver who had, allegedly, a day earlier rammed his truck into an SUV, killing three people, including the husband of an anchor who broke the news of the accident live on television.

IBC-24 news anchor Supreet Kaur reads out the bulletin. (Screengrab)

The driver, who was on the run after a stoic Supreet Kaur earned all-round praise for her professionalism and the video of the news bulletin went viral, was arrested from Rajnandgaon, police said.

Kaur who works with Chhattisgarh’s private IBC-24 channel kept her composure during Saturday morning’s live news bulletin, as a reporter phoned in details of an accident in Pithaura area of Mahasamund district.

The reporter said three of the five people travelling in the SUV, a Renault Duster, were dead. Though he did not identify the dead, there was enough for Kaur to realise it could be her husband. He, too, was to travel in a Renault Duster on the same route and at the same time with four others.

The 28-year-old Kaur held herself together, completed the bulletin and left the studio before allowing herself to cry.

“Salute Supreet’s strength in dealing with her husband’s demise with extraordinary bravery and professionalism. May departed soul rest in peace,” chief minister Raman Singh tweeted, expressing grief over the incident.

State Congress president Bhupesh Baghel also hailed Kaur’s courage.

“We are standing with her in this difficult situation. She has set an example for journalism and professionalism,” said a colleague.

The last rites of Kaur’s husband, Harsad Kawade, will be performed on Monday. They married a year ago.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More