Kanpur: The investigation into the high-profile Lamborghini crash in Kanpur took a contentious turn on Monday after the accused’s counsel claimed that Shivam Mishra was not behind the wheel when the accident occurred.
Mrityunjay Singh, who represents Mishra, told reporters that the luxury car was being driven by Mishra’s chauffeur, identified as Mohan, at the time of the crash. Singh said an application naming the driver has been submitted to the court and is scheduled to be heard on Tuesday.
“This is an accident as recorded in the FIR. We have moved an application before the court mentioning the driver’s name. Mohan was driving the vehicle,” Singh said, adding that the video footage circulating on social media would be examined as part of the investigation.
The claim sharply contradicts eyewitness accounts and multiple videos widely shared online, which appear to show Shivam Mishra being pulled out of the mangled Lamborghini by his personal security personnel. The visuals have fuelled public skepticism and raised questions about the defense’s version of events.
Kanpur Police Commissioner has also stated that preliminary findings point to Mishra being the driver at the time of the crash. Despite police assertions and video evidence, Mishra’s lawyer continues to deny his client’s involvement.
More than 30 hours after the incident, police have not collected blood samples from Mishra, and his name is yet to be formally included in the FIR. No significant legal action has been initiated so far, prompting allegations of preferential treatment and intensifying scrutiny of the investigation.
What happened on VIP Road?
The accident occurred Sunday afternoon on Kanpur’s VIP Road near Rev-3 Mall in the Gwaltoli area. A speeding Lamborghini allegedly driven by Shivam Mishra, son of prominent tobacco trader K.K. Mishra, ploughed into pedestrians and two-wheelers.
At least six people were injured in the crash. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Atul Kumar Srivastava, said the accident took place around 3:15 p.m. After striking an electric pole, the car climbed onto the front wheel of a motorcycle and dragged it for some distance before coming to a halt.
One of the victims, Taufiq, a resident of Yamunaganj, was thrown several metres and suffered serious injuries to his legs. Other victims sustained multiple fractures and wounds. Some witnesses told police that Mishra appeared to lose control of the vehicle after suffering a sudden seizure.
As investigations continue, the case has drawn widespread attention, with mounting pressure on authorities to ensure a transparent and impartial probe.
