By Firstdespatch Desk Feb 13, 2026
Agartala, Feb 13 (FD) Barely days after the conclusion of a monthlong road safety awareness programme, a tragic road accident claimed the life of a 57-year-old band party instrumentalist in Dharmanagar town on Thursday night. Police have arrested the truck driver and his assistant in connection with the incident.
According to police sources from Dharmanagar, the deceased, Badal Shabdakar (57), had just completed a contracted performance at a wedding ceremony. He was returning home on his motorcycle around 9:30 PM, accompanied by his close relative Anil Shabdakar (48), who was riding pillion.
As their motorcycle reached Nayapara Square, a speeding truck carrying online commodities reportedly approached from the opposite direction and rammed into them with great force. The impact knocked both riders onto the road, and the truck ran over the motorcycle.
Local residents immediately rushed to the spot and alerted the Fire Brigade authorities. Both injured men were taken to Dharmanagar District Hospital. However, doctors declared Badal Shabdakar “brought dead” upon arrival. Anil Shabdakar remains admitted to the hospital and is battling for his life in critical condition.
The deceased was a resident of the Hurua area. His son, Anu Shabdakar, lodged a formal complaint at Dharmanagar Police Station, alleging that the truck driver had driven at an abnormally high speed and wilfully caused his father’s death.
Acting swiftly, police launched a search operation and arrested the truck driver, Biswajit Das (37), a resident of Ram Krishna Nagar subdivision under Karimganj district in Assam, along with his assistant. During preliminary interrogation, the driver claimed that the motorcycle had suddenly appeared in front of his vehicle, leaving him unable to control the truck, which resulted in the accident.
On Friday, both the driver and his assistant were produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody. Police sources said that a charge sheet will soon be filed in the case under charges related to rash and negligent driving leading to death.
The incident has once again raised serious concerns over road safety and reckless driving in the region, despite ongoing awareness campaigns. FD JK