Hit-and-run inside gated community sparks outrage in Madhya Pradesh
A woman was killed in a hit-and-run incident inside a residential complex in Madhya Pradesh this week. Shampa Pathak (Pandey) died on Wednesday after being struck by a speeding car driven by two suspects. Residents of Sagar Samridhi Enclave have since demanded justice, with protests escalating as police investigated the crime. The conflict began when Kuldeep Choudhary, a resident, repeatedly rented out his penthouse for commercial stays via Airbnb. Neighbours had long opposed this practice, leading to tensions. On Wednesday, his son Mohnish and he allegedly drove their car at high speed through the complex, hitting Shampa Pathak.
Residents quickly surrounded the suspects, accusing them of showing no remorse. When police arrived, they took Kuldeep Choudhary and Mohnish into custody for questioning. A two-day remand followed, ending on Sunday, after which both were sent to judicial custody.
On Saturday, officers returned with the accused to reconstruct the crime. They mapped the parking area where the incident occurred and collected digital evidence. However, residents protested loudly, blocking the process and demanding harsher punishment. Later, a group from the enclave met Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, urging him to push for the death penalty in this case.
This incident follows a pattern in Madhya Pradesh where violent clashes between locals and suspects have sparked public outrage. In 2024, an Indore mob lynched a man over false child abduction claims. A year later, Bhopal residents killed a theft suspect in a similar vigilante attack. Both cases saw widespread social media support and protests against police delays, highlighting growing frustration with law enforcement. The suspects now remain in judicial custody while investigations continue. Police have gathered evidence from the crime scene, including digital records. Residents have made their demands clear, calling for swift and severe legal action in response to the killing.
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