Hyderabad Mercedes Crash Investigation Uncovers Complex Ownership Trail
As the search intensifies for the driver responsible for the fatal Mercedes-Benz collision on Hyderabad's Durgam Cheruvu cable bridge, police investigators have uncovered a startling detail: the luxury vehicle has passed through five different owners over the past ten years. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of April 19, claiming the life of a young businessman and leaving authorities with a complex web of ownership to unravel.
Fatal Collision and Immediate Aftermath
At approximately 3:15 AM on April 19, a speeding Mercedes-Benz violently struck 32-year-old businessman Shyam Raj, who was visiting the iconic bridge with his wife. The impact was so severe that both of Raj's legs were severed in the collision. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his catastrophic injuries around 4 PM that same day. The driver, displaying complete disregard for human life, abandoned the damaged vehicle at the scene and fled on foot into the night.
Decade-Long Ownership Chain Revealed
Police investigation has traced the vehicle's ownership back to Kolkata-based Quantum Minerals and Metals Pvt Ltd, which remains the officially registered owner according to documents. However, the car has since journeyed through multiple hands across state lines. Approximately a decade ago, the Kolkata company defaulted on its equated monthly installments, prompting the financing institution to repossess the vehicle.
The Mercedes was subsequently auctioned and purchased by a buyer from West Bengal, who later sold it to another individual in Hyderabad. This Hyderabad-based owner then transferred the vehicle to a local car dealer, who finally sold it to its current and fifth owner—a software professional residing in Hyderabad. This individual has now emerged as the prime suspect in the ongoing investigation.
Digital Trail Leads to Current Owner
Investigators employed modern techniques to track the vehicle's recent history, discovering the car dealer through Instagram posts where he had advertised the Mercedes for sale. During police questioning, the dealer revealed he had sold the Mercedes-Benz C230 to the current owner on November 6, 2024, for ₹4.5 lakh. Despite obtaining the buyer's address from sale documents, police have been unable to locate him at either listed residence.
"All contact numbers associated with the individual are switched off, forcing us to pursue alternative investigative avenues," explained a Madhapur police official involved in the case. "We are actively following multiple leads to trace the accused individual who appears to have gone into hiding."
Registration Irregularities Under Scrutiny
Adding another layer of complexity to the investigation, authorities have identified significant irregularities in the vehicle's registration status. Despite changing hands five times over a decade, the Mercedes remains officially registered under the Kolkata-based company's name. Police have formally contacted Quantum Minerals and Metals Pvt Ltd seeking clarification about why ownership transfers were never properly documented with transportation authorities.
"The company has provided preliminary verbal responses, but we await formal written confirmation along with all requested documentation," the investigating official added, highlighting the procedural gaps that have complicated the investigation.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
The Hyderabad police continue their multi-pronged investigation, combining traditional detective work with digital forensics to locate the missing suspect. The case has drawn significant public attention, raising questions about vehicle registration procedures and ownership transparency in luxury car transactions. As authorities piece together the complete timeline of the Mercedes-Benz's journey through multiple owners, the search for justice for Shyam Raj and his family remains the investigation's primary focus.
