BHOPAL: Panic gripped Soumya Fortune Heritage colony in Misrod on Tuesday night when a Thar SUV allegedly went on a rampage, ramming into several parked cars and SUVs, smashing through an exit gate and hitting more vehicles outside the residential complex.The driver also allegedly tried to drive towards women and children walking inside the colony, forcing them to flee to safety.No resident was seriously injured, though the colony guard sustained minor injuries and several residents had narrow escapes.Around a dozen cars and SUVs were damaged in the incident, while the SUV allegedly hit a stray animal as the driver fled the spot.The incident occurred around 9.30pm.Misrod police registered an FIR on the complaint of Kamal Singh Solanki, 55, a Soumya Fortune Heritage resident involved in the building material supply business.According to police, the SUV, bearing a Bhopal registration number, entered the colony at high speed and in a rash and negligent manner.It first rammed into Solanki’s parked car while reversing, damaging both doors and the rear body.The SUV then reversed into another parked car belonging to Ashok Kumar Dubey, damaging its front.The impact pushed Dubey’s car into a parked SUV belonging to Arvind Singh Raghuvanshi.The latter vehicle suffered damage to its front, police said. The driver allegedly continued his rampage, hitting two more cars parked inside the colony.
Women, children flee as SUV heads towards them
The situation turned more alarming when the SUV allegedly headed towards women and children who were walking inside the colony.According to the complaint, the driver attempted to drive the vehicle towards them from behind, prompting the women and children to run for safety. They escaped without injuries.The SUV then headed towards the exit. Residents and security guards tried to stop the driver, but Gate No 2 had already been closed by a guard to prevent the vehicle from leaving.The driver allegedly rammed into the closed gate and forced his way out.A guard standing near the gate jumped into a nearby drain to save himself and sustained minor injuries, police said.
More cars rammed outside colony
After breaking through the gate, the SUV allegedly rammed into a parked SUV belonging to Mahendra Kumar Dhurve outside the colony.The impact damaged it and pushed it into another parked sedan belonging to Mahendra Singh Rajput, damaging it.The SUV driver then fled from the spot. Police said several vehicles were damaged during the incident, while residents had narrow escapes.
Driver often visited colony to meet female friend
Residents later told police that the accused driver was known to frequently visit the colony to meet a female friend.Police are now trying to establish his identity and whereabouts based on information provided by the residents and CCTV footage from the colony and surrounding areas.During the investigation, police found that the SUV was registered in the name of an Obedullaganj-based owner.When contacted, the owner told police that he had given the SUV to someone else.Police are now tracing the person to whom the vehicle had been handed over and trying to identify and nab the man who was actually driving it when the rampage occurred.
Around 150 residents reach police station
The incident sparked anger among residents, with around 150 people from the colony approaching Misrod police station after the incident and demanding action against the driver.Police have registered a case under relevant provisions relating to rash and negligent driving and damage to property.Investigators are examining CCTV footage and questioning residents to establish the complete sequence of events and trace the accused.
