How Did a Builder's Son Kill 1 and Injure Several in Two Bhubaneswar Driving Rampages?

Quick answer: Soumya Ranjan Rath, the 20-year-old son of a Bhubaneswar real estate developer, was detained by bystanders and booked by police on 12 October 2026 after allegedly running over people twice while under the influence of alcohol — three months after a July crash in which a two-wheeler rider was killed. One person died in the July crash; several were injured in the October rampage.

Key facts

• What: Repeat drunk-driving rampage; alleged deliberate ramming of pedestrians and two-wheelers
• Where: Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India — near a roadside hotel and Kesura Square
• When: Monday 12 October 2026, around 7:30 a.m. (July crash: July 2026)
• Reported: 12 October 2026, via The Hindu
• Reported toll: 1 killed (July crash), several injured (October rampage)

What happened

Bhubaneswar police booked Rath under Sections 109(1), 281, 125(a) and 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after rescuing him from an angry mob. According to police sources, Rath and his friends had been drinking through the night of 11 October before the incidents unfolded in full public view the next morning.

A police statement said that at around 7:30 a.m. on Monday, the car driven by Rath hit a person standing by the roadside and sped away towards Kesura Square. A couple travelling on a two-wheeler stopped to help the injured person and were arranging to take him to hospital when Rath returned from the opposite direction and deliberately rammed his car into them, allegedly intending to kill them, the statement said.

As Rath attempted to turn the car around again, its electric motor stalled, allowing people at the spot to detain him. Police investigation also revealed that before this offence, Rath had already caused a road accident involving the owner and staff of a roadside hotel, allegedly with the intention of killing them. Four criminal cases are registered against him at Badagada police station.

The July crash

In July, Rath was arrested for allegedly driving his family's high-speed Mercedes under the influence of alcohol and crashing into a two-wheeler, killing an air-conditioner mechanic. He was reportedly accompanied by a minor girl at the time. He was sent to jail but subsequently released on bail. Police said he had violated his bail conditions by allegedly committing similar offences again.

Police response

Deputy Commissioner of Police Sarvana Vivek M said the investigation would be conducted expeditiously and that the chargesheet would be watertight. As a habitual offender, securing bail again would not be easy, he said, adding that police would also move to cancel the bail granted in the earlier offence.

If you drive on routes like this

• Never drive after drinking: alcohol slows reactions and increases fatal-crash risk dramatically
• Slow down on roads shared with two-wheelers and pedestrians — give them space
• If you see a dangerous driver, keep your distance and report it to police
• Wear a helmet on two-wheelers and a seatbelt in every seat
• Know the local emergency number before you travel — our emergency numbers directory covers every country

Source and updates

Original reporting: The Hindu — https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/months-after-fatal-crash-builders-son-runs-over-people-again-in-bhubaneswar/article71575180.ece. New reports appear on our live world map as they surface and on accidents today; the methodology page explains every estimate we publish.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the accused in the Bhubaneswar rampage?

Soumya Ranjan Rath, a 20-year-old law student and the son of a Bhubaneswar real estate developer. He was booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after bystanders detained him.

How many people were killed or injured?

One person — an air-conditioner mechanic — was killed in the July crash. In the October rampage, several people were injured, including a roadside pedestrian, a couple on a two-wheeler and staff of a roadside hotel.

What happened in the July crash?

In July 2026, Rath was arrested for allegedly driving his family's high-speed Mercedes under the influence of alcohol and crashing into a two-wheeler, killing its rider. He was jailed and later released on bail, whose conditions police say he has now violated.

What action are police taking?

Four criminal cases are registered at Badagada police station. Police say the investigation will be fast with a watertight chargesheet, that securing bail again will not be easy, and that they will move to cancel his earlier bail.