Driver who ran over couple found dead in Guna

A man accused of running over a couple while fleeing police after the seizure of a truck carrying poppy husk was found dead in Madhya Pradesh’s Guna drict on Sunday, police said. Preliminary investigation suggests the 32-year-old Kota resident died suicide.Representational image.City superintendent of police Anand Rai said the man was found hanging near Pagara police station. Preliminary investigation suggested that he had taken the extreme step.On Friday, a narcotics team intercepted a truck refuelling at a petrol pump in Mavan village, around 15 kilometres from Guna. The truck was carrying 25 quintals of poppy husk and was being escorted a car.“After the team seized the poppy husk, the car driver attempted to flee towards Ashoknagar. The narcotics team informed police. The police tried to nab the accused. During the escape, the car struck a bike and a person standing in front of a house. A couple riding the bike died on the spot, while their three-year-old child and the stander sustained serious injuries and were referred to Bhopal for treatment,” police said.The team apprehended the truck driver and one occupant of the escort vehicle, but the car driver managed to escape after abandoning the vehicle. The Cantt police regered an FIR in connection with the fatal accident, while the narcotics team initiated proceedings in the smuggling case. The truck, its driver and the accused were taken to Neemuch.On Saturday evening, villagers spotted a body hanging from a tree near Pagara railway station and alerted police. Cantt police brought the body down and sent it to the drict hospital.Police identified the deceased through his Aadhaar card and other documents found in his possession, confirming that he was the same driver involved in Friday’s incident.His family was informed and reached the drict hospital on Sunday morning. A post-mortem examination is being conducted, and police are investigating the circumstances that led to the alleged suicide.If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health special. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050; Sanjivini: 011-24311918; Roshni Foundation (Secunderabad): 040-66202001, 040-66202000; ONE LIFE: 78930 78930; SEVA: 09441778290.