Man, 26, dies after scooter is hit by Tamil Nadu minister’s car near Chennai

A 26-year-old man died after a car allegedly belonging to Tamil Nadu minister K Jagadeeshwari struck his scooter from behind on the Grand Southern Trunk road near Chennai, police said.

The crash occurred at about 1 a.m. during the night between Sunday and Monday. Police identified the victim as Iraiyanbu, a resident of Kattankulathur, who was returning home after attending a temple festival. He died at the scene from the impact, according to police.

Jagadeeshwari, the state’s minister for social welfare and women empowerment, was not in the car. Police said she was traveling in another vehicle at the time. The car, a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, was allegedly hers.

Guduvancherry traffic police recovered the body and sent it to Chengalpattu district government hospital for a post-mortem examination. Police seized the minister’s car and arrested the driver. A senior police official said investigators booked the driver under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 281, concerning negligent driving, and 106, concerning death caused by a rash and negligent act. Further investigation is underway.