Vadodara Car Crash: MSU Students Demand Rustication of Law Student Involved in Accident

Students of Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) staged a protest on the varsity camous on Monday, demanding the rustication of Rakshit Chaurasia, the main accused in the Vadodara car crash that resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to seven others. Chaurasia, a fourth-year law student at MSU, was arrested in connection with the incident. Protesters have alleged that he has a history of violent behavior while under the influence of intoxicants.

“The very nature of this accident has sent shockwaves throughout the country, deeply disturbing all of us, the students of this university. The accused, Rakshit Chaurasia, is a fourth-year law student here. He knows the law, yet despite this, he chose to drive intoxicated and rammed his car into several scooters. This behavior is absolutely reprehensible and must not be taken lightly by the university authorities. The NSUI demands his immediate rustication from the course, as his actions tarnish the reputation of this institution,” said Amar Waghela, President of the NSUI at MS University.

Waghela also raised concerns about the police investigation, alleging possible foul play. “It has been four days since the fatal car crash, and yet the university has failed to take any action. We are also deeply concerned that the police may have tampered with his blood sample under the influence of powerful political figures, as it seems the authorities are attempting to sweep the matter under the rug. We demand a transparent and unbiased investigation into this incident,” he asserted.

The incident has prompted further scrutiny of alcohol and substance misuse in Gujarat, a state known for its dry status. Waghela expressed his disbelief at how Chaurasia was able to access alcohol. "First of all, Gujarat is a dry state. We are astonished at how Rakshit was able to obtain alcohol. The government must take responsibility for this. If you look closely, you'll find alcohol and drugs readily available in many areas of the state. The government needs to be far more vigilant and impose stricter penalties on offenders,” he stressed.

The NSUI President also stated that just two days before the accident, he had caused a disturbance in Fatehgunj while heavily intoxicated. “We have also learned from Rakshit’s classmates that just two days prior, he caused a disturbance in Fatehgunj while heavily intoxicated. If you look at the viral video from the aftermath of the accident, you can clearly see he was in a state of rage and confusion, which cannot solely be attributed to alcohol. He likely had drugs in his system as well,” Waghela claimed.

“It has come to our notice that Rakshit Chaurasia, a fourth year student of our LLB program involved in an accident that killed one person. It was Sunday yesterday, we will sit down with the dean and our legal team and decide the further course of action,” said the authorities of the Maharaja Sayajirao University.

Following his arrest, Rakshit Chaurasia, in a statement to the media, denied being intoxicated or speeding at the time of the crash. “We were overtaking a scooter, and when we turned right, there was a pothole. The car brushed against another vehicle, and the airbag deployed. Our vision was obstructed, and the car went out of control,” he explained. He expressed remorse, saying, “I was told that one woman has died, and a few others have been injured. I want to meet the families of the victims, it is my fault.”

Rakshit, who hails from Prayagraj and studies at MS University in Vadodara, has been arrested and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The incident involved a Volkswagen Virtus sedan driven by Rakshit, which collided with three other vehicles. Hemali Patel, a 35-year-old woman, died on spot, and seven others sustained injuries.​