Drunk driver kills cabbie; another in ICU

Raunak Gantra, the accused

The Gamdevi police arrested a 26-year-old for alleged drunk driving, which led to one person's death and grievous injury to another. The accident occured at 1.35 am on Monday, near Sagar Villa building in the Breach Candy area.

According to the police, Raunak Gantra, 26, had visited Mitron, a restaurant in Fort, where he consumed alcohol before driving alone in a Mahindra SUV 500. On Bhulabhai Desai Road, he allegedly collided with a taxi, which caused its driver Anshukumar Rai, 22, to lose control of his vehicle. This led to a chain reaction of collisions with other vehicles. A passer-by called the cops.

Anshukumar was brought dead to Nair hospital, and another taxi driver, Dharmendra Rai, sustained major injuries to his head and leg. Anshukumar's brother Ashok Kumar, 32, said, "When I reached the spot, we took both of them to Nair hospital. Doctors declared Anshukumar dead on arrival, and my brother Dharmendra was grievously injured; he is not able to talk and is currently in the ICU. Anshukumar got married last year; his wife is pregnant. The body will be transported to Bihar for last rites. Dharmendra has three daughters and a wife."

Ashok said both the victims were searching for passengers when the incident happened. "We are poor, and all we demand is justice for both my brothers," he said while speaking to mid-day.

A senior cop said, "The incident happened at 1.35 am, and the accused sustained minor injuries when the crowd attacked him before police intervention. He was drunk at the time and has been produced in court."

Gantra, a student who helps in his family business, has been booked for causing death by negligence and grievous hurt due to negligent driving.

1.35am
Time of the accident