Four Gujarat Musicians Killed in Shivpuri Highway Crash

A tragic collision on National Highway 46 in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district claimed the lives of four members of a Gujarat-based music troupe and injured 11 others early Saturday morning. The accident, which occurred around 5 AM, approximately 30 km from the district headquarters, involved a mini bus carrying 17 passengers that crashed into a small truck, police reported.

Survaya police station house officer (SHO) Arvind Chari told PTI that the mini bus, returning from a performance at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, veered into the wrong lane after the driver lost control, likely due to dozing off at the wheel. The victims, identified as Hardik Dave (37), a singer, Raja Thakur (28), Ankit Thakur (17), and Rajendra Solanki (47), all band members, were killed on impact. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, with some in critical condition.

“The scene was heart-wrenching,” said a local witness, Rakesh Sharma, who assisted in rescue efforts. The mini bus, mangled in the crash, carried the troupe’s equipment, now scattered across the highway. Authorities are investigating the incident, with preliminary findings pointing to driver fatigue as a key factor. “We’re examining all aspects, including the vehicle’s condition and road factors,” Chari added.

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The tragedy has sparked outrage among locals, with calls for stricter regulations on driver rest periods and highway safety. “These accidents are preventable,” said Priya Verma, a Shivpuri resident. The police have registered a case, and further probes are underway to determine the exact cause and prevent future tragedies. Meanwhile, the music troupe’s surviving members and families mourn the devastating loss.

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