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<p data-start="224" data-end="601"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Gujarat Congress has strongly criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for its inaction over the sharp rise in hit and run incidents, many allegedly involving drunk drivers. The criticism comes in the wake of a tragic accident in Gandhinagar's Randesan area, where a speeding SUV mowed down five people, killing two and seriously injuring three others.</span></p>
<p data-start="603" data-end="968"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The incident occurred early Friday morning when a Tata Safari, allegedly driven recklessly by Hitesh Patel, struck pedestrians and two-wheelers. The deceased have been identified as 65 year old Hansa Vaghela and 63-year-old Nitin Vasa. Eyewitnesses say Patel attempted to flee the scene but was caught and handed over to the police after being confronted by locals.</span></p>
<p data-start="970" data-end="1233"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Infocity Police Inspector V.R. Kher confirmed that the driver has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Authorities have ordered a medical examination to determine if the accused was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.</span></p>
<p data-start="1235" data-end="1420"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Responding to the public outrage, Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi stated, &ldquo;I immediately instructed the IG, SP, and hospital authorities to take swift and coordinated action.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p data-start="1422" data-end="1793"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">However, the Congress party remains unconvinced. Party spokesperson Dr. Hiren Banker condemned the state&rsquo;s response, calling it inadequate and superficial. &ldquo;Gujarat, the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel, is witnessing a dangerous rise in alcohol-related accidents. The government&rsquo;s assurances are hollow. Who will take responsibility for the lives lost?&rdquo; he asked.</span></p>
<p data-start="1795" data-end="2120"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dr. Banker emphasized the urgent need for stronger enforcement of traffic laws, better road safety measures, and serious action against drunk driving. He accused the BJP government of ignoring public safety and offering nothing more than repeated statements like &ldquo;strict action will be taken&rdquo; and &ldquo;no leniency will be shown.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p data-start="2122" data-end="2264"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">According to official data highlighted by the Congress, Gujarat has recorded a disturbing rise in hit-and-run cases over the past three years:</span></p>
<ul data-start="2265" data-end="2345">
<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2265" data-end="2291">
<p data-start="2267" data-end="2291"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">2020&ndash;21: 1,499 cases</span></p>
</li>
<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2292" data-end="2318">
<p data-start="2294" data-end="2318"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">2021&ndash;22: 1,591 cases</span></p>
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<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2319" data-end="2345">
<p data-start="2321" data-end="2345"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">2022&ndash;23: 1,770 cases</span></p>
</li>
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<p data-start="2347" data-end="2585"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">These 4,860 incidents have resulted in 3,449 deaths and over 2,700 serious injuries. Ahmedabad district alone reported 329 fatalities during this period. Annual deaths from hit-and-run cases rose from 1,069 in 2020&ndash;21 to 1,222 in 2022&ndash;23.</span></p>
<p data-start="2587" data-end="2823"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&ldquo;These shocking figures reflect the government's failure to implement serious reforms,&rdquo; said Dr. Banker. &ldquo;Instead of tightening alcohol regulations and improving road safety, the administration is content with issuing press statements.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p data-start="2825" data-end="2913"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Congress party has demanded the following immediate steps from the state government:</span></p>
<ul data-start="2914" data-end="3109">
<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2914" data-end="2948">
<p data-start="2916" data-end="2948"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ban on unregulated alcohol sales</span></p>
</li>
<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2949" data-end="2994">
<p data-start="2951" data-end="2994"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stricter drunk driving laws and enforcement</span></p>
</li>
<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2995" data-end="3039">
<p data-start="2997" data-end="3039"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stronger traffic monitoring and regulation</span></p>
</li>
<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="3040" data-end="3109">
<p data-start="3042" data-end="3109"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Harsher penalties for fatal accidents caused by intoxicated drivers</span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="3111" data-end="3268"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">As public anger grows, the ball is now in the state government&rsquo;s court to restore safety on Gujarat&rsquo;s roads and bring justice to victims of reckless driving.</span></p>
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Gujarat Congress Slams Govt Over Fatal Crashes

Spike in hit-and-run deaths prompts Congress to demand strict action on drunk driving

Gujarat Congress Slams Govt Over Fatal Crashes

Spike in hit-and-run deaths prompts Congress to demand strict action on drunk driving

July 27, 2025 | 01:01 IST