Raipur: Balwant Singh, 33, the son of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Renuka Singh from Chhattisgarh’s Bharatpur-Sonhat (ST) constituency, was arrested in connection with a hit-and-run case on Monday morning and subsequently released on bail, police confirmed on Tuesday. The incident left a motorcyclist critically injured.

The case was registered under sections 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with acts endangering the personal safety of others, and section 281, pertaining to rash and negligent driving. Both are bailable offences, which allowed Balwant Singh to secure bail shortly after his arrest.

Renuka Singh, Balwant’s mother, is a sitting BJP MLA and served as the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs from 2019 to 2023. Balwant Singh, reportedly travelling with friends at the time, was driving from the Arang side towards Telibandha around 1 a.m. when the accident occurred at Salasar Chowk.

The victim, 34-year-old Tribhuvan Singh, a disc jockey, was returning home after work when his motorcycle was struck by Balwant Singh’s vehicle. Following the collision, the accused allegedly fled the scene in another car, according to police sources.

Authorities investigating the case noted that a CCTV camera installed near the accident site had been non-functional for approximately 36 hours prior to the incident, limiting immediate evidence collection.

Tribhuvan Singh was rushed to a government hospital in Raipur, where he remains in serious condition, undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the collision.

Police have indicated that further investigation will determine the circumstances leading to the accident and whether additional charges may apply. Balwant Singh’s release on bail has sparked local discussions regarding accountability in cases involving politically connected individuals, though authorities maintain that the matter is being handled according to the provisions of the BNS.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns over road safety and the responsibilities of drivers, especially in urban areas during late-night hours, and has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.