In a shocking incident, a film and television director, identified as Siddhant Das, sped and rammed his car in a crowded market in Kolkata, on Sunday, while being under the influence of alcohol. The accident killed one, and eight others were seriously injured.
According to a report in Times of India, the incident took place in the crowded Thakurpukur area at around 9 am on Sunday morning. Das, 35, was reportedly driving from Bakrahat towards Gariahat when he lost control of his car and drove it right into hawkers and pedestrians who indulged in weekend grocery and vegetable shopping. The car ultimately came to a halt after colliding with a parked scooter.
Locals informed the police and dragged Das out of his car and thrashed him until cops arrived and arrested him. Four bottles of alcohol were recovered from his car. The filmmaker was accompanied by two women as well, and while one was arrested, the other woman sitting in the backseat, fled the scene.
A vegetable vendor, identified as Aminur Rahman, 63, was killed in the accident. He sustained severe injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. Another local, identified as 68-year-old Joydeb Majumdar, has also sustained grave injuries and he is currently battling for his life, as per the report.
Reportedly, the area was cordoned off for road construction work, and only light vehicles belonging to residents of the area were allowed on the stretch. Eye-witnesses said that Das broke through the barricades and drove his car right into the bustling market, before eventually coming to a halt.
Seven others were given first-aid and there wounds were tended to, before they were discharged the same day. Several carts and two-wheelers were also damaged due to the incident.
