Day after minister’s car meets with accident, hit-and-run case booked against unidentified truck

BELAGAVI: A day after Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar’s car crashed into a roadside tree near Kittur, the police have registered a hit-and-run case against an unidentified container truck based on the car driver’s complaint. The accident occurred around 5 am on Tuesday when the minister was on her way to Bengaluru after attending the Congress legislature party meeting the previous night.

The minister brother and MLC Channaraj Hattiholi visited the hospital on Wednesday.

According to the driver Shivaprasad Gangadharaiah, minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, her brother and MLC Channaraj Hattihholi and the minister’s gunman Erappa Hunashikatti were in the car. A container truck which was ahead of them on NH-48, changed lanes without signalling and brushed against the car (KA 01 GA 977) near Ambadagatti Belagavi and Dharwad. This led to the driver losing control and crashing into a tree by the side of the service road, the complaint said.

Earlier, it was said that the accident occurred when the car driver attempted to avoid hitting a stray dog. But the FIR says the truck driver tried to avoid the dog and changed lanes. Police Superintendent Bhimashankar Guled said, “An FIR has been registered under BNS Sections 281, 125A,125B and Central Motor Vehicle Act Sections 134, 187. We are on the lookout for the container truck. The minister’s vehicle did not have a police escort vehicle at the time of the accident. Prima facie, it does not look like a premeditated accident”.

The minister’s son and daughter-in-law brought homemade breakfast to the hospital.

Meanwhile, minister Laxmi Hebbalkar continues to be under medical care at a private hospital in Hubballi. Her son Mrunal Hebbalkar and daughter-in-law Dr Hita brought breakfast for her from home.

Panchamasali Peetha seer Vachanananda Swami also called on the minister at hospital and inquired about her health. Special puja was also conducted at the Padibasaveshwara temple on Wednesday at Hirebagewadi by Congress workers and the minister’s supporters for her speedy recovery.