Police said the friends had been out celebrating since late Saturday night and were returning home after an overnight gathering. Around 4 a.m., one of them urged the group to stop for samosas near the temple. CCTV footage and recovered clips show them eating snacks and smoking, with one member appearing intoxicated. A 9-second video also captured their Fortuner, registered as MP07 CG-9006, parked near the locked temple gate.
After leaving the spot, the vehicle headed toward Sikroda Chauraha, where high-speed traffic converges from four directions. The Fortuner rammed into the rear of a tractor-trolley around 6 a.m., killing all five occupants instantly. Locals who heard the impact alerted authorities. Responding officers said the vehicle was crushed beyond recognition, with bodies trapped inside. Rescue teams used cutters and hydraulic tools to retrieve the victims.
Police found glasses, snacks, and bottles inside the mangled SUV, indicating the group may have continued partying in the vehicle. The victims, including driver Kaushal, were declared dead on arrival at the hospital. All five were cremated Sunday evening in their ancestral village.
Sikroda’s blind spot has become a deadly stretch, with 15 fatalities reported in the past six months. Local MP Bharat Singh Kushwah had earlier proposed shifting Mehra Toll Plaza to reduce speed at the junction.
CSP Nagendra Singh Sikarwar said an inquiry is underway. “We will examine the circumstances leading to the crash and take further action based on evidence,” he said.
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