Police on lookout for Canter involved in accident of minister Hebbalkar’s SUV

Mangalore Today News Network

Belagavi, January 15, 2025: District Police are on the lookout for the Canter involved in the hit and run accident of SUV near Ambadgatti cross in Kittur taluk on the Pune-Bengaluru national highway during dawn on Tuesday in which Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and her brother MLC Channaraj Hattiholi suffered injuries.

More than 40 canters crossed the toll plaza on the Pune-Bengaluru national highway at Hirebagewadi and efforts are being made identify the vehicle involved in the accident.

Superintendent of Police Dr Bheemashankar Guled informed reporters here on Wednesday that, as reported, canter driver drifted towards right after a dog had strayed on the road and the SUV driver, to avoid collision, deviated towards the left which led to it bruising with the canter and veering off upto service road before ramming with the tree. The Canter driver instead of coming to the aid of the victims, fled, hence a hit and run case has been filed.

Police officials investigated the site of investigation. Since the vehicle had been towed away to the showroom before the panchnama was filed, the process was completed at the site wherein the vehicle was available. Upon inspection, brusing marks from the Canter were found on the vehicle. Dr Guled also stated that they will investigate as to why the vehicle was towed away from the scene.

Based on the complaint filed, Kittur police are investigating the case. There was no mention of political rivalry, but we shall investigate all aspects of the case, Dr Guled expressed.