Three months after a 20-year-old law student, son of a real estate developer, allegedly rammed his high-speed car into a two-wheeler, killing its rider, he allegedly went on another rampage on Monday (October 12, 2026), twice attempting to run over people, including hotel staff and two-wheeler riders, with the intention of killing them. He was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
Bhubaneswar police booked accused Soumya Ranjan Rath under Sections 109(1), 281, 125(a) and 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) after rescuing him from an angry mob. According to police sources, Rath and his friends had been drinking throughout the night of October 11 before the incidents unfolded in full public view in the morning of October 12, 2026.
A statement issued by the city police said that around 7.30 a.m. on Monday (October 12), the car driven by Rath hit a person standing by the roadside and sped away towards Kesura Square. A couple travelling on a two-wheeler stopped to help the injured person and were arranging to take him to hospital when Rath returned from the opposite direction and deliberately rammed his car into them, allegedly intending to kill them, the statement said.
As Rath attempted to turn the car around again, its electric motor stalled, allowing people at the spot to detain him.
“During the course of the investigation, it also came to light that, before committing this offence, the driver (Rath) had already caused a road accident involving the owner and staff members of a roadside hotel, allegedly with the intention of killing them,” police said. Four criminal cases are registered against Rath at Badagada police station.
In July, Rath was arrested for allegedly driving his family’s high-speed Mercedes car under the influence of alcohol and crashing into a two-wheeler, killing an air-conditioner mechanic. He was reportedly accompanied by a minor girl at the time. The accused was sent to jail but subsequently released on bail. Police said he had violated his bail conditions by allegedly committing similar offences again.
“We will conduct the investigation expeditiously and ensure that the chargesheet is watertight. As he is a habitual offender, securing bail again will not be easy,” said Sarvana Vivek M, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar. Police would also move to cancel bail of earlier offence committed by the person. (EOM)
Published - October 12, 2026 06:50 pm IST