Woman Dies After Her Car Overturns While Escaping Drunk Miscreants In Bengal's West Bardhaman

The vehicle overturned after crashing into a public urinal and a scrap iron shop, resulting in a woman's death on the spot, while four others sustained minor injuries.

A 27-year-old woman en route to Bihar’s Gaya lost her life after her car met with an accident in a desperate escape attempt while being chased by inebriated men in the West Bardhaman district of West Bengal on early Monday.

The deceased identified as Sutandra Chattopadhyay, an event management professional, died after her vehicle crashed while trying to evade a group of drunk youths. The incident took place near Panagarh in West Burdwan district.

Chattopadhyay and her colleagues were traveling to Gaya when they stopped at a petrol pump, where a group of youths began verbally abusing her. Choosing to ignore them, they continued their journey, but the youths aggressively followed them. While attempting to block Chattopadhyay’s vehicle, a collision took place. In an effort to escape, the driver identified as Rajedeo Sharma swerved onto a service road but lost control.

The vehicle overturned after crashing into a public urinal and a scrap iron shop, resulting in Chattopadhyay’s death on the spot, while four others sustained minor injuries. The accused fled the scene, but police have seized their vehicle and launched an investigation. The District Collector also visited the accident site.

According to an eyewitness, the car chasing Chattopadhyay’s vehicle had intoxicated occupants who misbehaved with a woman sitting in the front seat, harassed her, and attempted to touch her.

Police Confirm No Eve-Teasing 

Sutandra Chatterjee, 27, was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. Two workers were also injured and hospitalised, while the driver and another worker survived.

Sunil Chowdhury, Commissioner of Police for the Durgapur-Asansol Police Commissionerate, addressed the Panagarh incident, stating that there was no eve-teasing involved and that it was merely a case of reckless driving. He clarified that the incident occurred on GT Road, not the national highway, and was captured on CCTV footage.

Police believe the confrontation started during an overtaking attempt, and the accused may have fled due to the accident. They emphasized that no allegations of misconduct were mentioned in the complaint.

Reacting to the incident, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya said, "There is a complete absence of law and order in West Bengal. It is a total breakdown of constitutional machinery."