Bhandara-Gondia Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Prashant Padole had a narrow escape after his SUV met with an accident involving a CNG-loaded truck near Haldiram’s factory on Bhandara Road in Nagpur district on Monday morning. According to police, “The accident took place around 5.30 am under the limits of Wadoda Police Station when the MP’s Toyota Fortuner (MH-36/AP-9911) hit a truck (MH-35/AJ-4103) from behind.” Police said, “Dr Padole was on his way to Nagpur Airport to catch a Delhi-bound flight to attend the ongoing Parliament session. His vehicle was passing through Wadoda when the truck moving ahead attempted to shift to the left lane.” “During this manoeuvre, the driver of the MP’s SUV rammed into the truck from behind. The impact was very strong, causing severe damage to the front portion of the Fortuner,” police added. Officials confirmed that Dr Padole and others in the vehicle escaped with minor injuries. “The MP, his driver Rahul Girhepunje, personal assistant Devendra Shahare and gunman Akash Khadse were travelling in the vehicle.

 

All of them are safe,” police said. Police further stated, “After the accident, the truck driver fled the spot along with the vehicle.” A case has been registered. “Wadoda Police have registered an offence against the unidentified truck driver under Section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 134 and 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act,” police informed. Regarding the investigation, police said, “A team led by API Manoj Gadade initiated a probe and began tracing the accused using technical inputs.” Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Mhaske said, “Based on technical inputs, we arrested the truck driver Vikram Bahadur Singh, a resident of Barapathar, Nagod in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, from Yavatmal. The truck involved in the accident has also been seized.” The truck had filled CNG from a plant near Wadoda and was heading towards Yavatmal to unload the CNG, he said. Further investigation is underway, police added.