On December 22, 2025, the Gujarat High Court granted regular bail to Rakshit Chaurasiya, a law student involved in a fatal car crash that shook Vadodara earlier this year.
The incident, occurring in March 2025 near Muktanand Circle, resulted in the death of a 43-year-old woman and left eight others injured when a speeding vehicle ploughed into multiple commuters.
Justice Nikhil S. Kariel granted the relief after Chaurasiya spent nine months in judicial custody, citing the completion of the investigation and his status as a student.
While the defence argued against punitive pre-trial detention, the prosecution highlighted the severity of the crash and allegations of substance influence.
Vadodara Hit & Run Case
The tragic accident took place on the night of March 14, 2025, during the festive season of Holi. Rakshit Chaurasiya was allegedly driving a speeding car that lost control and crashed into several two-wheelers near the Muktanand Circle in the Karelibaug area.
Hemani Patel, who was returning home after shopping for festival supplies with her daughter, was killed on the spot. Eight other people sustained varying degrees of injuries as the vehicle dragged them for several metres.
The local community was left in shock as visuals of the mangled scooters and the erratic behaviour of the driver surfaced on social media.
Arrest of Rakshit Chaurasia
Following the crash, Vadodara police arrested Chaurasiya under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 105 for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Initial reports and a Forensic Science Laboratory investigation suggested that the accused may have been under the influence of narcotic substances at the time of the collision.
This led to a public outcry, with citizens demanding a strict trial to set a precedent for road safety. Over the last nine months, multiple bail pleas were rejected by lower courts due to the gravity of the crime and the potential risk of influencing witnesses in such a high-profile case.
Gujarat High Court Order
The Gujarat High Court, while considering the latest bail application, noted that the chargesheet had already been filed in June 2025 and the investigation was complete.
The court observed that the accused is a young student whose academic career could be permanently hampered by indefinite incarceration before a trial concludes. Justice Kariel granted bail on a personal bond of 1 lakh rupees with two sureties of the same amount.
The court imposed strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and marking his presence at the police station. The judge clarified that these observations are limited to the bail stage and should not affect the final trial’s outcome.
Impact On Victim’s Family
For the family of Hemani Patel, the journey for justice has been arduous and filled with grief. Her death left a void that no legal proceeding can truly fill, especially as her minor daughter was also injured in the same crash.
The prosecution had argued that releasing the accused might send the wrong message to society regarding the consequences of reckless driving and drug abuse.
While the legal system follows the principle of “bail as a rule, jail as an exception,” the emotional toll on the survivors remains heavy. This case highlights the desperate need for faster judicial processes to provide closure to those who lose their loved ones.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The release of an accused in a fatal hit-and-run case often sparks a debate on whether the law is too lenient toward those with access to legal resources.
While we acknowledge the judicial mandate to protect personal liberty, we must also advocate for a society where the lives of innocent commuters are valued above all else.
True empathy involves recognizing the trauma of the victims and ensuring that “youthful age” does not become a shield for reckless negligence. We believe that road safety must be treated as a fundamental collective responsibility.
