Repeat Offender: Bhubaneswar Man Out on Bail Arrested for Deliberate Car Rampage
Bhubaneswar: In a shocking display of road rage and criminal recklessness, a man currently out on bail for a previous fatal accident has been arrested after allegedly using his car as a weapon to target bystanders in the Odisha capital. The accused, identified as Soumya Ranjan Rath, now faces charges of attempted murder following a chaotic incident on the Cuttack-Puri Bypass on Monday morning.
A Trail of Destruction
The sequence of events began around 8:30 am when Rath’s vehicle struck a pedestrian by the side of the road. Rather than stopping to assist, the driver sped away. A couple passing by on a motorcycle immediately halted to help the injured individual, intending to call for medical support.
According to witnesses and police reports, Rath circled back and deliberately steered his car toward the couple. The vehicle ploughed through the scene, smashing into a total of seven motorcycles and leaving three people injured. Bhubaneswar Zone-4 Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abhimanyu Nayak confirmed that the suspect’s actions appeared intentional rather than accidental, suggesting a malicious attempt to cause lethal harm.
Escalating Criminal History
Investigations have revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior. Before the Monday morning rampage, Rath had allegedly driven his vehicle into a roadside hotel owner and his staff following a verbal altercation. Authorities suspect that the accused was under the influence of alcohol during these outbursts.
The incident was brought to a halt only when the car’s electrical system malfunctioned while Rath was attempting to maneuver the vehicle again. A group of enraged bystanders swarmed the car and detained the driver until police arrived to secure the scene and move the suspect into custody.
Legal Consequences and Licensing Action
The Odisha Police have registered a serious case against Rath under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), incorporating grave charges such as attempted murder, endangering human life, and malicious destruction of property. With four separate criminal cases already pending against him, police are currently reviewing CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts to finalize their charge sheet.
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has also launched a parallel crackdown. Recognizing the severity of using a vehicle as a weapon, transport officials are initiating formal proceedings to permanently cancel Rath’s driving license and revoke the registration of the car involved in the attacks.
Renewed Scrutiny Over Past Fatalities
This latest string of violence has reignited public outrage over a previous fatal case involving the same accused. In July, Rath was involved in a luxury car accident in Bhubaneswar that resulted in the death of a pedestrian. Although he was apprehended by police at that time, he had been granted bail in August.
The fact that the accused was back behind the wheel and allegedly committing similar crimes shortly after his release has prompted calls for a stricter review of bail conditions in cases involving serious road accidents. As the current investigation progresses, authorities have vowed to ensure that the legal process remains robust, noting that the combination of reckless behavior and repeat offending warrants stringent judicial intervention.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
