In a tragic incident that has intensified public scrutiny on road safety and accountability, Prajwal Shetty, the 26-year-old son of Congress leader Deviprasad Shetty, allegedly ran over a biker with a Thar SUV in Karnataka’s Udupi district on Wednesday. The victim, Mohammad Hussain, 39, sustained severe injuries and succumbed to them a day later.
The incident, captured on CCTV footage, shows the SUV speeding across the street and colliding with a two-wheeler approaching from the opposite direction. Prajwal Shetty reportedly fled the scene after the collision, adding to the public outrage surrounding the case.
Arrest and Bail: Questions of Accountability
The Shirva Police arrested Prajwal Shetty on Thursday, a day after the accident that claimed Mohammad Hussain’s life. However, controversy erupted when it was revealed that the accused was granted bail shortly after his arrest, sparking outrage and questions about preferential treatment due to his influential background. Critics argue that the swift granting of bail in a case involving a fatality undermines public trust in the judicial system and reinforces perceptions of inequality before the law.
Adding to the scrutiny is the fact that Prajwal Shetty is the son of Deviprasad Shetty, a prominent Congress leader from Belapu village in Udupi. The political stature of his family has led to widespread speculation about the fairness of the proceedings. Public opinion is divided, with some demanding stricter legal action while others await the outcome of the investigation before passing judgment. This incident has reignited debates about the intersection of politics and justice, with activists and opposition leaders calling for transparency in the case. “The law must take its own course irrespective of who the accused is,” said a local rights activist.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Hussain’s grieving family has appealed for justice, expressing frustration over what they perceive as the system’s leniency toward the powerful. Their demand for an impartial inquiry has struck a chord with many, amplifying calls for reforms in how such cases are handled when political affiliations come into play. The legal proceedings ahead will likely set a precedent for how cases involving high-profile individuals are dealt with in the region, with public and media attention firmly fixed on the outcome.
Victim’s Tragic Demise and Eyewitness Accounts
The victim, Mohammad Hussain, was riding his bike early in the morning when the speeding Thar SUV struck him with such force that he suffered critical injuries. Bystanders rushed him to the hospital, but despite medical efforts, he passed away the following day. CCTV visuals from a nearby residence reveal the chilling moment of impact. The footage shows the Thar SUV barreling down the street at high speed, giving the victim little chance to evade the collision.
The incident occurred around 5 am on Wednesday, a time when streets are usually less crowded, making the reckless driving all the more glaring.
A Series of Hit-and-Run Tragedies
This case is the latest in a string of hit-and-run incidents in Karnataka, underscoring a growing concern about road safety and the accountability of errant drivers.Just last month, a similar incident was reported in Mangaluru, a coastal city near Udupi. In that case, a speeding car veered onto the footpath, killing a woman and seriously injuring four others. The tragedy prompted widespread calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws.
In another harrowing case from July, CCTV footage from Raichur district showed a speeding car colliding with a bike and two students after the biker made an abrupt U-turn without checking for oncoming traffic. The accident left the community shaken and raised questions about both driver recklessness and the lack of awareness among other road users.
Calls for Justice and Stricter Traffic Laws
The Udupi incident has reignited public debate over the effectiveness of existing traffic regulations and the influence of political connections in shielding offenders from the consequences of their actions. Advocacy groups and local citizens have called for a thorough investigation and stringent action against the accused, irrespective of his political lineage.
The tragic loss of Mohammad Hussain has left his family devastated and the community demanding justice. The case serves as yet another grim reminder of the perils of reckless driving and the urgent need for better road safety measures across the state.
As authorities probe the incident, it remains to be seen whether justice will prevail or if this case will join the growing list of hit-and-run incidents that fade into obscurity amid public disillusionment with the system. The incident underscores a critical need for accountability and reform to prevent further loss of innocent lives on the roads.