A fatal road accident in Hyderabad has sparked attention after a 26-year-old woman was allegedly struck by a high-speed Aston Martin near Inorbit Mall. Police have identified the driver as 21-year-old Lingamaneni Sanjush, son of Andhra Pradesh Rajya Sabha MP and Jana Sena Party leader Lingamaneni Ramesh.
The accident took place on August 16 when Bharati Mukhi, a sales executive at the Lifestyle store in Inorbit Mall, was returning from lunch with a colleague.
Video shows chaotic moments after crash
Footage that surfaced after the accident captures the immediate aftermath of the collision. Bharati's colleague, believed to be Pooja Ashok, is seen beside the severely injured woman, crying and calling for help as bystanders gather around.
The video also shows people confronting the driver and preventing him from leaving the scene. Bharati was eventually placed inside the Aston Martin and taken to Apollo Hospital in Jubilee Hills. Doctors declared her dead on arrival.
According to the police complaint, Bharati and her colleague had gone towards the ITC Kohenur area during their lunch break. While returning towards Inorbit Mall, Bharati was crossing the road when she was hit by the vehicle.
Police allege that the car was being driven at excessive speed and in a rash and negligent manner. Bharati suffered serious head injuries and heavy bleeding.
Police seize car, send blood sample for forensic examination
The Madhapur Police registered a case under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with causing death through a rash or negligent act.
The Aston Martin, bearing registration number TG-09-G-0666, has been seized as part of the investigation.
According to police, preliminary tests for alcohol and drugs returned negative. However, the accused's blood sample has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for further analysis. Authorities have said the applicable legal provisions could be reconsidered if the forensic findings reveal information requiring a change in the investigation.
Why was the accused not arrested?
Police said the accused was issued a notice instead of being arrested because the offence currently registered carries a punishment of less than five years.
Officials cited the Supreme Court's Arnesh Kumar guidelines and the safeguards governing arrest under Section 35(1), saying arrest was not automatic in such circumstances and had to satisfy the prescribed legal conditions.
Family seeks government support
Bharati, who was reportedly from Odisha, was said to be the sole earning member of her family.
Her aunt has appealed to the government for financial assistance, saying the family has lost its only source of income following the accident.
The investigation is continuing, with the forensic report expected to be among the factors that could determine whether police alter or add charges in the case.