A tragic hit-and-run incident in Bhubaneswar’s Patrapada area has left the city in shock, with two lives lost and the main accused still evading capture 12 days later. The accident, which occurred on Rakhi Purnima, claimed the lives of 8-year-old Reshma Raul and her mother, Rebati Raul, while leaving 2-year-old Mahi Raul critically injured. Despite the police seizing the offending Thar vehicle, the driver, suspected to owner Somnath Behera, remains at large, fueling public outrage and raising questions about law enforcement’s efficiency.
On the fateful day, Rebati Raul was crossing the road near Patrapada Chhak with her children when the marauding white Thar and a Scorpio, reportedly racing, sped towards them. While the family narrowly escaped the Scorpio, the Thar struck them, resulting in Reshma’s immediate death at the scene. Rebati succumbed to her injuries two days later, and Mahi continues to fight for his life at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The incident has left the family and the Phuleswari slum community in a state of profound grief, with funeral rites overshadowed by the lack of justice.
The Khandagiri police, under the Commissionerate Police, managed to seize the Thar from Jatni within 24 hours but have failed to apprehend Somnath Behera. Meanwhile, the Scorpio driver, Ankit S., and his accomplice, Krishnachandra Pradhan, have been arrested. A viral social media video showing the Thar driver holding a liquor bottle while driving has further intensified public anger, with locals and the victims’ family accusing the police of negligence. The vehicle is registered to Somnath Behera from Kusumati, who remains absconding.
The delay in apprehending the accused has sparked protests from the victims’ family and local residents, who demand swift justice. The incident has reignited concerns about road safety and reckless driving in the capital city. Khandagiri police officials have assured that the investigation is ongoing and the accused will be arrested soon, but the lack of progress has only deepened public distrust.
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and accountability for reckless driving, as Bhubaneswar mourns the loss of two lives and prays for the recovery of a toddler battling for survival.
