CCTV footage shows the entire sequence; driver arrested from Jabalpur after fleeing 270 km

A speeding car ran over three Jain nuns who were walking along a roadside in Rewa, killing two of them on the spot and leaving a third critically injured. The accident, captured on CCTV, has triggered widespread anger within the Jain community, which has called for a nationwide peaceful protest on May 25.

The incident took place in broad daylight outside the collectorate complex. Three sadhvis were practicing vihar — walking barefoot as part of their religious discipline — hugging the left edge of the road. The CCTV video, which surfaced on Saturday, shows an out-of-control white car approaching at high speed and hitting them from behind without any apparent braking.

Two dead, one critical

According to police and eyewitness accounts, Shruti Mati Mata died at the scene. Another, Upasamiti Mata, succumbed to injuries at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Rewa while undergoing treatment. The third nun, Aryika Mata, remains in critical condition.

The accident occurred around midday on May 20. Local residents rushed all three to the hospital immediately, but doctors could not save the first two.

“They were walking peacefully, following all safety norms. The car came from behind at very high speed. There was no time to react,” said a shopkeeper near the collectorate who rushed to the spot after hearing the crash.

Driver arrested 270 km away

The driver, identified as Rashid Abaad Ali Shah, did not stop after mowing down the nuns. Instead, he sped away and continued driving for nearly 270 km. Rewa police tracked his movement and alerted Jabalpur authorities. Bargi police in Jabalpur laid a trap at the Bahoripar toll plaza and took him into custody.

Senior officials including commissioner B.S. Jamod, deputy commissioner Narendra Suryavanshi, and SP Gurukaran Singh visited the hospital and the accident site soon after the incident.

Jain community’s demands

The Jain community has refused to treat the incident as a simple accident. Suspicion of negligence or possible conspiracy is being voiced widely.

Four key demands have been put forward:

First, a high-level judicial inquiry or an SIT probe. Second, preservation of all digital and CCTV evidence. Third, a national-level ‘saint safety policy’ for monks and nuns who travel on foot across the country. Fourth, if the probe confirms conspiracy, the strictest punishment — including the death penalty — for the guilty.

“This is not just about one accident. This is about the safety of India’s spiritual heritage,” a community leader said at a gathering in Rewa.

May 25: nationwide protest, silent rally in Khandwa

In response to the Rewa tragedy, Jain organisations have announced a countrywide peaceful protest on May 25. As part of that, a large silent rally will be taken out in Khandwa starting at 8 am. The rally will begin from Mahaveer Udyaan Kirti Stambh and pass through Ghantaghar, Mumbai Bazaar, and Phool Gali before ending at the police control room.

A memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister will be submitted through the district collector.

Community leaders including Virendra Jain, Sunil Jain, Dilip Pahadia, Sanjay Jain and Vikas Bothra have appealed to all sections of society, especially women, to join the rally in large numbers.

The funeral of one of the deceased nuns was conducted in Rewa on Wednesday, a day before the CCTV footage became public.