Kanpur Court Rebukes Police Over Procedural Failures in High-Profile Lamborghini Crash Case
A local court in Kanpur delivered a sharp critique of police handling as it granted bail to VVIP scion Shivam Mishra merely hours after his arrest on Thursday. This development comes just four days after a luxury Lamborghini, allegedly driven by Mishra, crashed into pedestrians, leaving six individuals injured.
Court Highlights Serious Police Lapses in Arrest Procedure
The additional chief judicial magistrate (ACJM) presiding over the case pointed to significant procedural shortcomings by the police. The arrest was conducted without proper notice under the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and was found to violate established Supreme Court guidelines from the Arnesh Kumar vs Union of India case.
Following Mishra's arrest, the police presented him before the court around 10 am, requesting 14 days of judicial custody. However, the court rejected this plea outright. Instead, Mishra was granted bail on a personal bond of ₹20,000, as confirmed by his legal counsel, Anant Sharma.
Details of the Sunday Afternoon Crash Emerge
The incident occurred at approximately 3 pm on Sunday when a Lamborghini Revuelto, an Italian luxury sports vehicle valued at over Rs 10 crore, collided with pedestrians and other vehicles. Among those injured was 18-year-old e-rickshaw driver Mohd Taufeeq, who subsequently filed a formal complaint. Interestingly, the defense counsel later asserted that Taufeeq was not inclined to pursue legal action further.
Police investigations, bolstered by CCTV footage and eyewitness testimonies, initially suggested that the car was traveling at excessive speed prior to the collision. Social media videos circulating after the incident appeared to show private security personnel extracting a man believed to be Mishra from the driver's seat and swiftly transporting him away in another SUV.
Evolution of the FIR and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The First Information Report (FIR) was originally filed against an unidentified driver but was later amended to include Shivam Mishra's name after preliminary evidence linked him to the vehicle. In a related hearing on Wednesday, the court rejected a surrender application from Mohan Lal, noting that his name was absent from the FIR and that existing evidence pointed to Mishra as the driver.
While police maintain their findings, Mishra's father and legal team have consistently denied his involvement. They claim that a hired driver was operating the Lamborghini at the time of the accident. Furthermore, they allege that Mishra was unwell and experienced a medical episode during the ride, a condition his family suggests may have contributed to the mishap. Mishra's father has also cited potential technical issues with the vehicle before the crash.
Public Scrutiny and Investigation Continuation
Officials have indicated that these claims will be thoroughly examined as part of the ongoing investigation, which may include medical and forensic evaluations. The case has garnered substantial public attention, with social media users voicing concerns over preferential treatment and delayed law enforcement response immediately following the crash.
The court's decision to grant bail, coupled with its criticism of police procedures, underscores the complexities and heightened scrutiny surrounding this high-profile incident. As the investigation progresses, further legal and forensic examinations are anticipated to clarify the circumstances of the crash and the responsibilities involved.
