Ahmedabad: The enforcement of prohibition laws in Gujarat has come under scrutiny after a driver, allegedly in an inebriated state, was released by police just hours after ramming into nine vehicles in the Shilaj area.
The incident occurred late on January 18 along the Shilaj–Rancharda road. According to reports, a car allegedly driven by Nitin Shah lost control and collided with a series of vehicles, including several two-wheelers. While nine vehicles sustained significant damage in the pile-up, no fatalities were reported.
Eyewitnesses at the scene claimed the driver appeared to be drunk when apprehended by locals. Videos recorded by bystanders, which have since gone viral on social media, reportedly showed the accused struggling to stand upright.
Sources indicate that procedural delays marred the initial police response due to confusion over jurisdiction between the Shilaj, Bopal, and M Division Traffic Police stations. After several hours of deliberation, the complaint was eventually registered by the M Division Traffic Police.
Police officials stated that a blood sample of the accused has been collected and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis. Authorities maintained that further legal action would be determined based on the findings of the FSL report.
However, the swift release of the accused within hours of the crash has triggered significant controversy. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that the matter may have been “settled” or that pressure from higher authorities influenced the decision to release the driver.
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In the wake of the incident, local residents have demanded a fair and transparent investigation, calling for a review of the conduct of the police officers handling the case. As of now, senior officials have not commented on whether a departmental inquiry will be initiated.
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