New Delhi: Police in Kanpur have arrested Shivam Mishra, son of a prominent Uttar Pradesh tobacco entrepreneur, four days after a luxury Lamborghini rammed into pedestrians and vehicles on a busy city road. Officials said he was taken into custody on Thursday morning following information about his presence in the city and was produced before a court after medical formalities.
Investigators stated that five police teams were formed to trace Mishra, who had remained untraceable since the accident on Sunday afternoon. The crash occurred on VIP Road when the Italian sports car, valued at over ten crore rupees, allegedly lost control and hit an e rickshaw, two wheelers and a parked motorcycle. Six people suffered injuries in the incident.
According to eyewitness accounts, the car first struck the rickshaw and then collided with a Royal Enfield motorcycle, throwing the rider several feet away. The vehicle reportedly dragged the bike for some distance before crashing into an electric pole and coming to a halt. Bystanders claimed that private security staff accompanying Mishra attempted to move him away from the spot before police arrived.
The black car bearing a Delhi registration number has been seized for technical inspection. A preliminary probe concluded that Mishra was behind the wheel, and his name was added to the case under charges of rash and negligent driving, endangering lives and causing hurt through dangerous means.
The case took a dramatic turn on Wednesday when a man identifying himself as Mohan appeared in court and claimed he was the designated driver at the time of the accident. He alleged that Mishra suffered a sudden seizure which led to the loss of control. The family has maintained that Shivam suffers from epilepsy and was not driving.
Police, however, rejected this version, citing video evidence that showed Mishra being pulled out from the driver seat after the crash. The court also refused to accept the surrender of the man claiming responsibility, observing that initial evidence pointed towards Shivam as the driver.
Questions have been raised about possible leniency because of the family’s wealth and influence. The local police station officer was suspended for lapses in following procedure. Earlier tax department searches at the family premises had revealed several luxury cars and large amounts of cash, bringing further attention to the background of the accused.
