A passenger who was allegedly in the Toyota Fortuner involved in the fatal Nikol hit-and-run case in Ahmedabad may become a key witness against the driver, according to a report by Sandesh. Police investigation has reportedly found that Sagar, a friend of accused driver Viral Chaudhary, was in the vehicle when it mounted the pavement near Devsya Circle and ran over a mother and her son.
The report said Chaudhary was allegedly driving after drinking beer and that he continued consuming alcohol while the vehicle was moving. Police had earlier seized six beer cans from the car, according to the report. The newly reported finding places Sagar inside the vehicle during the crash and adds another element to the investigation into how the collision occurred.
According to Sandesh, Chaudhary had visited Sagar’s home before the incident, where the two allegedly drank beer together. They later left to have a meal, with beer cans reportedly taken into the vehicle. The report said Chaudhary was driving at high speed while holding the steering wheel with one hand and a beer can with the other.
The vehicle allegedly lost control, climbed onto the pavement and struck the mother and son, who were at the roadside near the Nikol junction area. The report describes the crash as a hit-and-run incident, although local people reportedly stopped Chaudhary at the scene and handed him over to the police.
Sandesh reported that Sagar left the vehicle amid the crowd and commotion immediately after the crash. Police are now reportedly considering action against him under the Prohibition Act because of the alleged drinking session at his residence and his presence in the car. The report also said investigators may treat him as an eyewitness to the crash.
His account could be relevant to establishing who was driving the Fortuner at the time of the collision. Sandesh reported that investigators may seek Sagar’s statement before a magistrate, particularly to address any potential defence over the identity of the driver. Such a statement would form part of the evidence considered during the legal proceedings and would remain subject to judicial scrutiny.
The case highlights the risks created when alcohol consumption, high-speed driving and pedestrian movement converge on urban roads. Pavements and roadside spaces are often used by people waiting, shopping or moving between neighbourhood streets, making them vulnerable when vehicles leave the carriageway. In this case, however, the specific sequence of events and the criminal liability of those involved will be determined through the police investigation and court process.
The immediate next steps reported by Sandesh are the proposed action against Sagar under the Prohibition Act and the recording of his statement as a possible eyewitness. The investigation will establish the roles of those present in the vehicle and place the available evidence before the court.
