Allegations of Drunk Driving: 20-Year-Old Mows Down Woman in Bengaluru

A 20-year-old student is facing serious allegations after reportedly speeding in his father’s Mercedes-Benz while under the influence of alcohol, resulting in the tragic death of a 30-year-old woman, police said. The incident occurred on Saturday evening near the Kengeri traffic transit management center in Bengaluru.

According to reports, the victim, identified as Sandhya AS from Basaveshwara Nagar, was crossing the road when the driver, Dhanush Paramesh, allegedly lost control of the vehicle. Dhanush, who lives in Nagarbhavi, is the son of a local businessman who runs a travel agency. Witnesses claim he was speeding and failed to notice a speed breaker, ultimately leading to the collision.

An alcometre test revealed that Dhanush had a blood alcohol content of 177 mg/100 ml, significantly surpassing the legal limit of 30 mg/100 ml. Prior to the incident, he and a friend had reportedly been drinking at a mall in Yeshwanthpur before taking the car for a drive on Mysuru Road. Eyewitnesses stated that after hitting Sandhya, Dhanush did not stop initially, but bystanders intervened and detained him until the police arrived.

The Kengeri traffic police promptly arrested Dhanush, who now faces serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’s Section 105 for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Bengaluru’s deputy commissioner of police (Traffic West), Anitha B Haddannavar, confirmed that he has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days as the investigation continues.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving, highlighting the urgent need for responsible behavior on the roads.