Nagpur: A 40-year-old bank manager, identified as Bablu Kulmethe, died on Wednesday after succumbing to injuries sustained when a speeding SUV allegedly driven by an intoxicated woman ploughed into his parked car late on Tuesday night on Gorewada Road, police said.
Crash sequence and victims
The accident occurred on Adivasi Road under the jurisdiction of Gittikhadan police station. According to police and eyewitness accounts, Kulmethe had parked his vehicle and was stepping out when the SUV lost control and rammed into the car. The impact reportedly flung Kulmethe and his two-year-old son, Priyansh, onto the road. The vehicle went on to hit a 14-year-old girl, Vanshika Kulmethe, a 46-year-old pedestrian, Harish Rewatkar, and at least one other person before colliding with a tree.
- Deceased: Bablu Kulmethe (40), bank manager.
- Injured: Priyansh (2), Vanshika Kulmethe (14), Harish Rewatkar (46) and another person; all were critically injured earlier, police said.
- Accused: Dipali Bhuyan (32), an alleged intoxicated driver from Sitabuldi.
Police action and charges
Following Kulmethe’s death, Gittikhadan police have intensified the probe and upgraded the charge against the SUV driver, Dipali Bhuyan, to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, the sources said. Initial statements and eyewitnesses suggested the driver’s speech was incoherent after the crash, raising suspicion of driving under the influence. Police said they are awaiting forensic confirmation.
“This should be treated as a case of murder by negligence committed by an affluent woman driving under the influence of an intoxicant,”
said a family member, as reported, expressing grief and anger at the Vaishali Nagar crematorium where Kulmethe’s last rites were held on Thursday.
Public reaction and law-and-order response
The accident sparked strong public outrage. Within hours of the crash, a large crowd from Gond Mohalla and surrounding localities gathered outside Gittikhadan police station demanding decisive action. Eyewitnesses and police sources reported that enraged residents damaged the SUV involved in the collision. Senior police officers, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Annapurna Singh, rushed to the spot as tensions escalated and police moved to contain the situation.
| Detail | Reported |
|---|---|
| Location | Adivasi Road, Gorewada Road area (Gittikhadan police station) |
| Accused | Dipali Bhuyan (32), Sitabuldi |
| Upgraded charge | Culpable homicide not amounting to murder |
Police said they initially sheltered the accused inside the station as tensions mounted. Investigating officers are collecting forensic evidence, conducting toxicology tests and recording statements from eyewitnesses to establish the sequence of events and the role of alleged intoxication.
The death of Kulmethe has left family members and neighbours demanding stringent action. The incident has also prompted calls locally for stricter enforcement of drunk-driving laws and better road safety measures in the area, particularly on busy stretches such as Gorewada Road.
Authorities have not released a detailed timeline of medical treatment or the current condition of the injured persons beyond earlier reports that four people were critically hurt. Police said updates will be provided as forensic reports and medical bulletins are received.
As the investigation continues, residents of Gond Mohalla and adjoining localities remain anxious for swift legal resolution, even as law-enforcement officials try to calm tempers and complete the formalities of the probe.
