32-year-old charred to death as car catches fire after crash

Ahmedabad: One man was charred to death and another suffered serious burns after their car crashed and caught fire near Vayana village in Gandhinagar's Kalol taluka on early Monday morning, police said.
The deceased was identified as Mohammed Bhura Habibullah, 32, and the injured as Syed Mohammed Rafiq, 26, both residents of Mirzapur in Ahmedabad. According to Santej police, the incident occurred when the two were passing through Vayana village in a hatchback car and possibly ignored a road diversion. Inspector S R Muchhal of Santej police said that initial findings indicate it was a fatal road accident. "The driver may have lost control of the vehicle, which hit an object and caught fire. Both occupants were trapped inside as the car burned," he said, adding that the lane where the accident happened was very narrow.
The driver might have collided with an object after missing the diversion, which led to a fire, he said.
Locals informed the emergency services, and police along with medical teams rushed to the spot. Bhura was found dead on the scene, while Rafiq was rescued and taken to Sola Civil Hospital. Doctors said his condition was critical. Some residents expressed suspicion that the two were possibly chased or attacked by ‘cow vigilantes', which led to the crash. However, police stated that no evidence supporting this claim has been found so far. "We have found no indication of any assault or chase. However, we are investigating all possible angles," said inspector Muchhal.