Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh); Enraged after being doused in colour during the Holi celebrations on Friday, a pickup van driver ran over a youth in Ashoka Garden area, dragging him for 200 meters before fleeing. The victim later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. Police have registered a case and launched investigation.

According to reports, 27-year-old Shailendra Singh, also known as Appu, a resident of Subhash Colony, was celebrating Holi with friends on Friday evening when they playfully threw colour at a passing pickup truck. The driver, enraged by the act, stopped his vehicle and confronted the group. A heated argument ensued, but bystanders intervened and managed to pacify the situation.

However, moments later, as the driver initially drove ahead, he suddenly reversed the vehicle towards the group. While most managed to jump out of the way, Shailendra was struck and trapped underneath. The driver continued moving, dragging the victim nearly 200 meters before he was able to free himself near a speed breaker.

Singh sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a private hospital, where he died later that night during treatment. Locals said that he was recently engaged and was due to be married soon.

Inspector Hemant Srivastava of Ashoka Garden police station said that CCTV footage captured Shailendra being dragged under the moving vehicle. However, police are still determining whether the driver intentionally targeted the victim or if it was a case of reckless driving and hit-and-run.