Court tells police to use modern forensic tools in SG Highway hit-and-run case

In the case of a reckless driving incident that left a young footballer in a coma, the Ahmedabad Rural Court has directed the investigating officer to strictly follow the provisions of the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and use modern forensic methods for collecting evidence.

The court’s directive comes in connection with a May 14 accident near Palladium Mall on SG Highway, where a speeding Mercedes allegedly hit two footballers and fled the scene. The accused, Vijay Vaghjibhai Rabari, son of a police officer, was arrested eight days after the incident and has since been granted conditional bail.

Court cites new BNSS rules mandating modern investigation methods

In his order, Additional Judicial Magistrate DM Bavishi of Ahmedabad Rural Court noted that the complaint was filed after the BNSS came into effect, and that the law explicitly empowers investigators to use modern methods for investigation. These include:

• Drug detection using hair samples (within 90 days of the incident)
• Mobile location tracking
• Retrieval of CCTV footage
• Modern vehicle speed analysis

Videographed panchnama of the crime scene

The court said these measures are essential to ensure a thorough and timely investigation, particularly in serious cases involving public safety.

Why did the court have to step in?

Despite CCTV coverage and serious injuries, the police took eight days to arrest the accused and failed to test him promptly for intoxication, raising questions about procedural delays and investigative gaps.

Footballer remains in coma; delay in arrest draws criticism

According to the FIR filed at the SG Highway Traffic Police Station, 22-year-old footballer Jay Kanani and his friend Andre Rahul Bhatia were riding an Activa scooter when they were struck by a black Mercedes. The car allegedly sped off without stopping. Both were injured. Andre, who suffered severe head trauma, remains in a coma at Apollo Hospital.

Following the incident, Kanani approached the court, alleging that the police had not acted swiftly or properly. He argued that if the accused had been arrested within 24 hours, it would have been possible to test him for drug or alcohol use through blood or urine samples. Even now, he pointed out, forensic hair analysis could still be used to establish drug use within the 90-day window allowed under the BNSS.

Monitoring sought amid concerns over police delay

The complainant also sought court-monitored investigation, citing the delayed arrest despite the presence of surveillance cameras along SG Highway. He questioned why the police took more than a week to act and called for the use of available forensic tools to compensate for the delay.

The court’s directive is likely to increase public pressure on the police to modernise investigative practices, especially in cases where evidence may degrade with time.

Also read:

Policeman involved in reckless driving, leaves three injured in Ahmedabad