Driver in Vadodara Crash was not intoxicated, had consumed marijuana: Police

Police have stated that Rakshit Chaurasia was found to be driving under the influence of drugs during the Vadodara crash that resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to seven others one month ago. The Forensic Science Laboratory reported that Chaurasia had not been drinking at the time of the incident, but had instead smoked marijuana. Additionally, blood samples from his co-passenger, Praanshu Chauhan, and another friend in the car, Suresh Bharwad, also tested positive for drugs. The medical findings emerged about three weeks after the national shock of the accident. Chaurasia has been detained in Vadodara Central Jail, while Chauhan has been arrested, and the third accused is currently evading authorities. All three individuals are facing charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, as well as Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The crash took place on March 13 near Amrapali Chaar Rasta in Karelibag, Vadodara, involving a Volkswagen Virtus sedan. In a viral video, Chaurasia reacted strangely at the scene of the crash, before being charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. During an initial denial of wrongdoing, Chaurasia attributed the crash to the deployment of the car's airbags and expressed a desire to meet the victims' families.