FOLLOWINGnews reports published in ‘The Hitavada’ on July 21 and July 27 highlighting ecological destruction, the Ratibad Police launched a major crackdown against participants involved in illegal mud racing and dangerous off-road stunts at the ecologically sensitive Kaliyasot Dam wetland. Police officers seized ten high-end sport utility vehicles and registered criminal cases against drivers participating in the unauthorised rally. However, despite the large-scale gathering being coordinated primarily through social media platforms, law enforcement agencies have not yet initiated formal legal action against the event organisers. The decisive police action follows widespread outrage generated by viral videos showing modified four-wheel-drive vehicles performing high-risk stunts and reckless manoeuvres in the waterlogged catchment area of the Kaliyasot reservoir on July 26. Ratibad Police formally registered a criminal case under Sections 281, 170, 271, and 279 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita alongside Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Reckless drivers attempt evading identification through washing: Investigating officials revealed that several vehicle owners attempted to erase physical evidence by thoroughly washing accumulated mud from their four-wheelers immediately after the event to prevent identification.

 

Employing technical surveillance, digital analysis of viral video footage, and local intelligence inputs, law enforcement teams successfully tracked down the vehicles involved in the stunt driving. Officers confiscated ten fourwheelers utilised during the illegal event, while targeted efforts remain actively underway to trace remaining participants and vehicles identified in video recordings. According to the report, reckless stunt driving across the waterlogged wetland created severe public safety hazards for spectators gathered along the perimeter to watch the performance. Furthermore, police noted that navigating heavy motorised vehicles directly through protected wetland territory severely contaminated the municipal drinking water reservoir, accelerating soil erosion and elevating public health infection risks due to disturbed mud and stagnant water accumulation. Organisers yet to face action While criminal cases have been registered against the drivers, questions remain over the absence of legal action against those who allegedly planned, co-ordinated and promoted the unauthorised mud rally through social media platforms. Police officials said the investigation remains underway and further individuals connected with the organisation and promotion of the event will be identified and examined as part of the ongoing probe.