According to information, the deceased has been identified as Paulram Bhagat (36), a resident of Kamosindand village. On Sunday, he had gone to the Dharamjaigarh weekly market along with his three children—Arpan Bhagat (9), Aruna Bhagat (7), and Anshu Bhagat (5)—for business purposes. After spending the day at the market, they were returning home in their Eeco vehicle in the evening.

When their vehicle reached near the Miriguda passenger waiting shelter, a pickup truck coming from the opposite direction hit the Eeco at high speed and in a negligent manner.

The impact was so severe that the front portion of the Eeco was completely damaged. Paulram Bhagat suffered critical injuries to his jaw and leg, while all three children were also seriously injured. With the help of local residents, the injured were rushed to Dharamjaigarh Civil Hospital, where Paulram succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Upon receiving information about the accident, the victim’s wife, Sunita Bhagat, arrived at the hospital, where she was informed about her husband’s death and her children’s condition. She subsequently lodged a complaint at Dharamjaigarh police station.

Police said that the pickup driver fled the scene after abandoning the vehicle. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest the accused. A case has been registered against the driver under Sections 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act and Sections 106(1), 125(a), and 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is in progress.