Surat: A 23-year-old man, Yash Rathod, was arrested for allegedly driving an SUV under the influence of alcohol and ramming into around 15 parked vehicles in the Adajan area of Surat on Wednesday night, police said. A resident of Olpad, he is the son of a local BJP member.According to the FIR registered at Adajan police station, the incident occurred around 11.30 pm near I N Tekrawala School. The black Mahindra Scorpio, bearing registration number GJ-05-RZ-0013, hit multiple vehicles parked along the road. While around 15 vehicles sustained damage, at least three were damaged extensively.Following the incident, local residents gathered at the spot and stopped the SUV. They found Rathod heavily intoxicated and alerted the police. According to accounts from the scene, Rathod’s friends, who were travelling in another car, also arrived and attempted to rescue him from the crowd. However, residents prevented them from taking him away before the police arrived.Adajan police constable Suresh Bijalbhai and his team reached the scene and took Rathod into custody. He was taken to a hospital, where a breathalyser test reportedly confirmed alcohol consumption. Police seized the SUV and took him to Surat Civil Hospital for further medical examination.A case has been registered against Rathod under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those pertaining to drunk driving and rash or negligent conduct.Meanwhile, local residents claimed that Rathod had come to Adajan for a liquor party with friends. They alleged that after the party, he engaged in a car race with a friend who was driving a sedan, during which the SUV went on to hit the parked vehicles.Police have arrested Rathod and launched an investigation into the incident. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the area to establish the sequence of events and determine whether the crash was linked to an alleged street race.Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
