A national-level Sepak Takraw player died after being hit by a speeding motorcycle. The tragic death of Avni Mukesh Baghel spread anguish among family, friends and fellow athletes. The family has alleged that the accused motorcyclist was released by police after initially being taken into custody. Demanding justice, relatives, fellow athletes and friends reached the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone 4, with Avni’s mortal remains to seek action against the accused. According to police, the accident took place around 6.30 pm on Wednesday at Sangharsh Nagar Chowk. The 17-year-old Sepak Takraw player is a resident of Jat Tarodi in Imamwada area. Avni was waiting to take a U-turn when a speeding motorcycle rammed into her.

 

She sustained injuries and was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. Following the accident, local residents reportedly caught the motorcyclist and handed him over to the police. However, Avni’s family alleged that accused was taken to the police station between 7 pm and 8 pm but was subsequently released between 2.30 am and 3 am after being issued a notice. When family learned about his release the following morning, they expressed strong anger and approached corporator and Standing Committee member Wasim Khan for support. The family demanded that the accused be taken back into custody and strict legal action should be taken against him. Under the leadership of corporator Wasim Khan, the family and friends of Avni approached DCP Zone 4 Rashmita Rao’s office to demand justice. As the DCP was not present in her office and she was not reachable on phone, the family members started protesting outside the DCP office with the mortal remains of Avni. They raised slogans demanding arrest of the motorcyclist and strict action against him. Police officials informed the gathering through a video call that the accused had been taken into custody and Avni’s two sisters also identified the motorcyclist in the same video call.