TV
A youth lost his life after being hit by the vehicle of a West Bengal legislator on the national highway near Jamujhadi Chhak under Simulia police limits in Balasore district on Tuesday. The vehicle was reportedly carrying Howrah (Uttar Assembly constituency) MLA Gautam Chaudhury and his family, who were returning from Puri.
The deceased has been identified as Radhakanta Lenka, a resident of Sajanpur village and a peon at Basudevpur High School.
Sources reported that the accident occurred on NH-16, one of the busiest highways in the region, when Chaudhury’s car collided head-on with a two-wheeler that Lenka was riding, according to eye-witness records.
According to police sources, Lenka sustained critical injuries in the collision and was immediately rushed to Simulia Community Health Centre by police personnel. However, attending doctors declared him dead on arrival.
High-Speed Collision Leaves Car Mangled
Eyewitnesses and police reports indicate that the impact of the crash was severe, leaving the vehicle, suspected to be travelling at high speed, badly mangled. MLA Gautam Chaudhury and his family, who were travelling in the vehicle at the time, were reported to be safe. Meanwhile, the two-wheeler being driven by Lenka was broken into pieces and was hardly recognisable after the accident.
Simulia police took swift action following the crash, bringing the vehicle occupants, including the MLA, to the local police station for questioning. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the crash and whether overspeeding or other violations were involved.
No Immediate Arrest, Probe Underway
While no arrests have been made so far, police confirmed that an inquiry is ongoing. A case of unnatural death has been registered, and the vehicle has been seized for forensic examination.
Statements from witnesses, as well as CCTV footage from the highway stretch, are being reviewed to determine the sequence of events leading to the fatal crash.
Officials said post-mortem procedures will be conducted before handing over the body to the bereaved family.
