Nagpur Cafe Racer Crash Claims Lives of Two Young Friends, Sparks Road Safety Concerns
In a devastating incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, two young friends lost their lives in a horrific crash involving a newly purchased cafe racer motorcycle near Kachipura Square in Bajaj Nagar, Nagpur, late Monday night. The victims, identified as Yug Chanakapure, aged 21, and Rudra Somkunwar, aged 20, both residents of the Ramdaspeth's Kachipura area, were riding a brand-new black 650CC racer bike when the tragedy unfolded between 9:45 PM and 10:00 PM on February 16.
Details of the Fatal Accident
The accident occurred as the two youths were returning home after attending a Mahashivaratri function at a local shrine and delivering a prasad parcel to an acquaintance. According to police officials from the Bajaj Nagar station, the bike was traveling at excessive speed on the cement road stretch between Kachipura Square and Bajaj Nagar Square. In a critical moment, three girls, including 16-year-old Gunjan Kokarde, were crossing the road to buy Chinese food from a roadside vendor. Sources indicate the girls stepped off the median and into the carriageway.
Yug, who was riding the bike, allegedly attempted to swerve to avoid colliding with the girls. However, the bike brushed against Gunjan, causing her to fall and sustain injuries for which she is currently receiving treatment. The other two girls narrowly escaped unharmed. The bike then veered left and slammed into a line of cement bollards on the footpath with such force that eight bollards were uprooted. An acquaintance rushed the injured boys to a private hospital in an autorickshaw, but Rudra died on the spot, while Yug succumbed during treatment. Neither youth was wearing a helmet, and both suffered multiple injuries, including skull fractures.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
The Bajaj Nagar police have registered an offence under Sections 281 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rash and negligent driving leading to death against Yug Chanakapure. Police stated that excessive speeding on the high-powered racer bike was the sole cause of the accident. The mangled motorcycle remains in police custody as the investigation continues. It was revealed that the bike, a 650cc cafe racer worth approximately ₹5 lakhs, was gifted to Yug by his mother, Lakshmi, who runs a tiffin service, and his maternal uncle, Ashish Sakhya, as a birthday surprise. Due to a death in the family, the purchase was delayed by 15 days, and the bike is yet to be registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
Family Grief and Allegations of Negligence
Distraught relatives of the deceased have pointed to multiple factors contributing to the tragedy. Yug was the elder of two siblings, a second-year BCA student and a kabaddi player, while Rudra was a first-year science student and the only child of his parents. Yug's father works at a private firm, and his mother is a central government employee. Family sources claimed the road remained without functioning streetlights, turning the stretch into a death trap. They blamed the pitch-dark, poorly lit road for the disaster, alleging it created hazardous conditions that exacerbated the accident.
In a heartbreaking twist, relatives also accused bystanders of apathy, prioritizing social media fame over humanity. Instead of aiding the bleeding victims, many onlookers filmed the horrific scene, creating reels that soon went viral. No one immediately helped or called for emergency services, causing a fatal delay in the golden hour. A grieving relative lamented, "People stood watching or recording while the boys bled excessively — we could have saved them with timely help," highlighting how viral content culture may have cost precious lives in this tragedy.
Broader Implications and Community Impact
This incident has raised serious questions about road safety, infrastructure maintenance, and public responsibility in Nagpur. The lack of streetlights, combined with the high speed of the vehicle and absence of helmets, created a perfect storm for disaster. As the community mourns the loss of two promising young lives, calls for improved road conditions and greater civic awareness are growing. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the critical need for timely intervention in emergencies.
