MLA’s son gets bail in Chhattisgarh hit-and-run case
Chhattisgarh hit-and-run: BJP MLA’s son arrested, later released on bail
A hit-and-run case involving the son of a sitting BJP legislator has drawn attention in Chhattisgarh after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in an early-morning road accident in Raipur. Police said Balwant Singh, 33, the son of former Union minister and BJP MLA Renuka Singh, was arrested in connection with the incident and later released on bail, as the offences booked against him are bailable.
The accident took place around 1 am on Monday at Salasar Chowk in Raipur. The victim, Tribhuvan Singh, a 34-year-old disc jockey, was returning home to Telibandha after finishing work. According to police, he was riding his motorcycle when it was hit by a car allegedly driven by Balwant Singh.
After the collision, the accused is alleged to have fled the scene instead of stopping to help the injured man. The incident triggered criticism and raised questions about road safety, accountability, and the use of influence in cases involving politically connected individuals.
Details of the accident
Police officials said Balwant Singh was driving from the Arang side towards Telibandha at the time of the accident. He was accompanied by a few friends in the vehicle. As the car reached Salasar Chowk, it allegedly rammed into Tribhuvan Singh’s motorcycle with force.
The impact threw the biker onto the road, leaving him with serious injuries. Instead of stopping, the accused allegedly abandoned the damaged vehicle and escaped from the spot in another car, police said.
Local residents who heard the crash rushed to the spot and alerted the police. The injured biker was shifted to a government hospital in Raipur, where doctors described his condition as serious. He remains under close medical observation.
Police registered a case against Balwant Singh under sections 125(a), which deals with acts endangering the personal safety of others, and section 281, which relates to rash and negligent driving under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Both sections are bailable offences.
After being arrested, Balwant Singh was granted bail in accordance with legal provisions. Police said the investigation is continuing and that statements of witnesses are being recorded.
A senior police officer said that initial questioning revealed that the accused was present at the scene at the time of the accident. “We are verifying all evidence and will take further action based on the findings,” the officer said.
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Investigation and political reaction
The investigation has faced some technical challenges. Police confirmed that a CCTV camera installed near the accident spot was not working for nearly 36 hours before the incident. This has made it difficult to obtain clear visual evidence of the crash.
Officials said they are now relying on eyewitness accounts, vehicle damage analysis, and other available technical evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events. Forensic teams have also examined the vehicles involved.
The lack of CCTV footage has raised concerns among local residents, who questioned the maintenance of surveillance systems at busy city intersections. Some citizens demanded better monitoring to prevent hit-and-run incidents and ensure accountability.
Balwant Singh is the son of Renuka Singh, the BJP legislator from the Bharatpur-Sonhat (ST) constituency in Chhattisgarh. Renuka Singh also served as Union minister of state for tribal affairs from 2019 to 2023. Her political background has brought additional public attention to the case.
Opposition leaders criticised the incident and called for a fair and transparent investigation. They urged the police to ensure that the law is applied equally, regardless of political connections.
Police officials, however, denied any special treatment. “The accused was arrested and booked under relevant sections. Since the offences are bailable, bail was granted as per procedure,” an officer said.
The family of the injured biker has demanded strict action and justice. They said fleeing the scene after causing a serious accident shows irresponsibility and disregard for human life.
Road safety experts pointed out that hit-and-run cases continue to be a major concern across urban India. They said stricter enforcement of traffic laws and better emergency response systems are needed to reduce such incidents.
Meanwhile, police said they will also examine whether alcohol consumption or overspeeding played a role in the accident. Medical and technical reports are awaited to confirm these details.
Authorities said further legal action will depend on the victim’s medical condition and the outcome of the investigation. If new evidence emerges, additional charges could be considered.
As the investigation continues, the case has once again highlighted the dangers of reckless driving and the importance of immediate medical assistance after road accidents. For now, the focus remains on the recovery of the injured biker and ensuring that due legal process is followed.
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