In the quiet hours after midnight on March 13, the peaceful streets of Vadodara Karelibaug area transformed into a scene of horror when a speeding Volkswagen Virtus plowed through three two-wheelers, claiming one life and leaving seven others injured. What unfolded next ignited a firestorm of public outrage: the driver, a 23-year-old law student named Rakshit Chaurasiya, was captured on video emerging from the wreckage shouting “another round” and appearing visibly disoriented.
The incident has cast a spotlight not only on the persistent issue of impaired driving but also on the forensic challenges of prosecuting drug-impaired driving cases in Gujarat—a state that has wrestled with enforcing its prohibition laws for decades.
The devastating consequences of drink and drive: innocent victims pay the price. Speeding car Kills one woman ,injures many.
— Neha Gurung (@nehaGurung1692) March 14, 2025
Vadodara, Gujarat – A shocking road accident in Vadodara's Karelibag area late Thursday night left one dead and several others injured after a reportedly… pic.twitter.com/QT2kTOOMAa
“Another Round”: The Chilling Moments After Impact
CCTV footage from near Muktanand Cross Roads shows the devastating sequence of events. At approximately 12:30 AM, the sedan driven by Chaurasiya slammed into multiple two-wheelers, sending riders flying and dragging victims along the road before finally coming to a halt.
But it was what happened next that shocked witnesses and later, social media users across India. As bystanders rushed to aid the injured, Chaurasiya stumbled out of the driver’s seat, appearing disoriented. In videos captured by onlookers, he can be heard repeating “another round, another round” while also chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” and mentioning someone named “Nikita.”
Meanwhile, his passenger, Pranshu Chauhan, whose father owns the vehicle through his company Duan Technology, immediately distanced himself from the incident, pointing at Chaurasiya and saying, “He was driving.”
Vadodara car crash claimed the life of Hemali Patel, who was riding her scooter when struck by the vehicle. Among the seven injured were two children, aged 10 and 12. Police have confirmed that three of the injured remain in critical condition.
Rapid Test Reveals Presence of Drugs
In a significant development that has only heightened public interest in the case, Vadodara police disclosed to The Indian Express that a narcotics rapid test kit administered to Chaurasiya after his detention confirmed the presence of drugs in his system.
“A detailed investigation has been launched into the behavior and utterances of Chaurasiya after the crash,” Vadodara Police Commissioner Narasimha Komar told reporters on Saturday, adding that there “was an impression that the accused was under the influence of an intoxicant.”
This revelation directly contradicts Chaurasiya’s claims to local media that he was not intoxicated at the time of the accident. In those statements, he instead blamed road conditions and a panicked reaction to the car’s airbags deploying.
“The potholes caused me to lose control, and when the airbags deployed, I panicked,” Chaurasiya told reporters before police extended his remand and implemented measures to prevent further media interactions.
The Forensic Challenge: From Rapid Test to Court Evidence
While the rapid test results may seem damning, legal experts caution that they represent only the first step in what could be a complex prosecution. Senior police officials confirmed that these preliminary tests are not admissible as evidence in court.
“The rapid test kit for narcotics is merely indicative of the presence of drugs,” explained a senior police officer involved in the investigation. “Blood samples from Chaurasiya, his co-passenger Chauhan, and a third friend who was with them before the accident have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for definitive testing.”
A Gujarat FSL expert who spoke on condition of anonymity detailed the challenges that make drug-impaired driving cases particularly difficult to prosecute despite their seemingly straightforward nature.
“Unlike alcohol cases, where the legal limit is set at 50 mg, any detectable amount of controlled substances constitutes an offense,” the expert explained. “However, these cases rarely make it to court despite being as simple to prove as alcohol impairment.”
The expert outlined the forensic process: “Gas chromatography, a highly reliable and definitive testing technique, can conclusively determine if the accused consumed an intoxicant, its exact nature, and quantity. This allows us to back-calculate when the substance was consumed and how the suspect’s metabolism processed it.”
Results from these comprehensive tests, which police say should be available next week, will determine whether additional charges will be filed against Chaurasiya.
A Tale of Two Narratives
As the investigation unfolds, two competing narratives have emerged regarding the circumstances of the crash.
The Defense’s Version
Chaurasiya, who hails from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and studies law at the prestigious Maharaja Sayajirao University of Vadodara, has denied being under the influence. Through his limited media interactions, he has attempted to shift blame to road conditions and a panicked reaction to the airbags deploying.
His statements suggest an unfortunate accident rather than criminal negligence—a narrative that could potentially reduce his legal culpability if accepted by the courts.
The Prosecution’s Angle
Law enforcement officials paint a starkly different picture. They point to witness accounts of Chaurasiya’s erratic behavior after the crash, the rapid test results indicating drug presence, and the vehicle’s excessive speed as evidence of reckless endangerment.
“The investigation is examining all aspects of the incident, including Chaurasiya’s condition before getting behind the wheel,” DCP Panna Momaya stated. “We are reconstructing the entire sequence of events.”
This approach suggests authorities are building a case of criminal negligence, possibly compounded by driving under the influence of drugs—charges that carry significant penalties under India’s Motor Vehicles Act and the Indian Penal Code.
Justice Delayed: Challenges in Prosecuting Drug-Impaired Driving
The case highlights a broader issue in India’s legal system: the difficulty in securing convictions for drug-impaired driving despite forensic capabilities that match international standards.
The FSL expert explained that while blood tests can detect drug presence for up to 24 hours after consumption (compared to just 8 hours for alcohol), and hair and nail samples can reveal drug use for up to 100 days, these cases often fall through procedural cracks.
“The process requires meticulous handling—from proper collection at medical facilities to accurate testing and interpretation of results,” the expert noted. “Any breakdown in this chain can compromise the evidence.”
Legal experts point to another challenge: the public’s greater familiarity with alcohol-impaired driving compared to drug-impaired driving. This knowledge gap extends to law enforcement, prosecutors, and even judges, potentially influencing how such cases are pursued and adjudicated.
“There’s a certain level of expertise required to present drug-impaired driving cases effectively in court,” said Ahmedabad-based criminal lawyer Rajesh Mehta. “Prosecutors need to educate the court about the specific effects of different substances and how they impair driving ability—something that’s often taken for granted with alcohol cases.”
The Human Cost: Victims and Community Impact
Lost in the legal and forensic complexities is the human tragedy at the center of this case. Hemali Patel, the woman who lost her life, leaves behind a family shattered by sudden loss. The injured, including two children, face painful recoveries and potential long-term effects from their injuries.
The incident has also reopened wounds in The Vadodara’s collective memory. In 2015, the city witnessed a similar tragedy when a minor driving his father’s car killed two people. That case sparked debates about parental responsibility and juvenile justice—conversations that have resurfaced in the wake of this crash.
“These aren’t just statistics or legal cases,” said Meena Patel from The Vadodara Road Safety Initiative. “Each incident represents destroyed lives and families. We need structural changes to prevent these tragedies, not just punishment after they occur.”
Those changes, according to safety advocates, include stricter enforcement of traffic laws, better detection methods for impaired driving, and educational campaigns that address drug impairment alongside alcohol.
The Way Forward: Awaiting Definitive Results
As The Vadodara’s residents process the tragedy, the focus now shifts to the FSL results expected next week. These findings will determine whether Chaurasiya faces additional charges related to drug impairment.
“If the report concludes that the accused driver was under the influence of drugs, relevant sections will be invoked,” confirmed the senior police officer handling the case.
Meanwhile, the incident has prompted calls for greater awareness about the dangers of drug-impaired driving and the need for more robust detection and enforcement mechanisms.
“This case should serve as a wake-up call,” said Dr. Anand Sharma, a substance abuse expert based in Gujarat. “We focus so much on alcohol that we sometimes overlook the equally dangerous practice of driving under the influence of drugs.”
As the investigation continues, The Vadodara accident stands as a stark reminder of how quickly lives can be altered by a single moment of recklessness—and the complex challenges of delivering justice in its aftermath.
FAQ
What happened in The Vadodara car accident?
On March 13, 2025, around 12:30 AM, a speeding Volkswagen Virtus driven by 23-year-old law student Rakshit Chaurasiya crashed into three two-wheelers near Muktanand Cross Roads in The Vadodara’s Karelibaug area. The accident resulted in the death of Hemali Patel and injured seven others, including two children. The driver was captured on video emerging from the wreckage shouting “another round” and appearing disoriented.
2. Was the driver intoxicated at the time of the accident?
While the driver has denied being intoxicated, police have confirmed that a narcotics rapid test kit administered after his detention indicated the presence of drugs in his system. However, this rapid test is not admissible as evidence in court. Blood samples have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for definitive testing, with results expected within a week.
3. What is the difference between rapid drug tests and FSL tests?
Rapid drug tests use saliva swabs to provide a quick, qualitative indication of drug presence, showing only the general group of drugs (opiates, marijuana, etc.) that might be present. These tests are not admissible in court. FSL tests use gas chromatography on blood samples to determine the exact drug, its quantity, and can even help calculate when it was consumed. These laboratory tests provide legally admissible evidence.
4. How long can drugs be detected in the human body?
According to FSL experts, drugs can be detected in blood samples for up to 24 hours after consumption, which is significantly longer than alcohol (which dissipates within 8 hours). More extensive testing of hair and nail samples can reveal drug use patterns for up to 100 days, though these tests are less commonly used in traffic accident cases.
5. What charges does the driver currently face?
Rakshit Chaurasiya is currently charged with causing death by negligence and rash driving. If the FSL tests confirm the presence of drugs in his system, additional charges related to driving under the influence could be added, potentially increasing the severity of his sentence if convicted.
6. Who owned the vehicle involved in the accident?
The Volkswagen Virtus involved in the accident is registered to Duan Technology, a company owned by the father of Pranshu Chauhan, who was in the passenger seat at the time of the crash. Chauhan was also detained by police following the incident.
7. Why are drug-impaired driving cases difficult to prosecute?
Despite having the forensic capabilities to detect and prove drug impairment, these cases face several challenges: the evidence chain must be meticulously maintained from collection to testing; there’s less public and legal familiarity with drug impairment compared to alcohol; and prosecutors need specialized knowledge to effectively present these cases in court. The FSL expert noted that while drug consumption is as simple to prove as alcohol consumption, these cases rarely make it to court.
8. What safety measures are being advocated in response to The Vadodara car crash ?
Road safety advocates are calling for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, better detection methods for impaired driving (including drug impairment), more comprehensive driver education, and increased public awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of any substance. The incident has also renewed discussions about parental responsibility and the need for structural changes to prevent similar tragedies.
