Liquor-laden car in police chase kills farmer on Rajkot highway

Rajkot: A routine police check turned into a deadly chain of events on the Rajkot–Bhavnagar highway on Monday, when a man allegedly fleeing with illicit liquor rammed his car into a motorcyclist, killing a 49-year-old farmer.It began near Sardhar, where police had set up a checkpoint amid the ongoing local body elections. According to a complaint filed by LRD Krishnavir Singh Gohil, a car was signalled to stop around 11.30am. Instead, the driver, 34-year-old Vipul Handa, hit the accelerator and sped away, triggering a high-speed chase.What followed was a perilous pursuit along the narrow Sardhar–Lodhida stretch, with Handa allegedly driving at over 100kmph, swerving dangerously to evade the police. In the chaos, his car rammed into an oncoming motorcycle, critically injuring Dinesh Solanki.Solanki was rushed to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.The chase ended soon after, with police managing to intercept Handa. Medical tests confirmed he was under the influence of alcohol. A search of his vehicle revealed around 100 litres of country-made liquor, indicating he was transporting illicit stock.Investigators were struck by Handa's background. A BHMS degree holder, he had previously run a small clinic before investing in a hospital in Gadhada in Botad district. The venture failed, leaving him burdened with debts of nearly Rs 35 lakh. Police believe prolonged financial distress over the past few years may have pushed him into bootlegging.A case has been registered against Handa under Sections 105 and 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and the Prohibition Act.