Ratlam | August 6, 2025 : A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district, where a two-year-old boy was crushed to death by a car driven by a 12th-standard student. The incident, caught on CCTV, has not only left the local community in shock but also sparked a wider conversation about underage driving and accountability.

A Moment of Negligence, A Lifetime of Grief
The victim, little Rishik Tiwari, had just been set down outside his home by his grandmother, who stepped aside for a moment to place a puja thali. In those few seconds, Rishik wandered into the street — and in that same instant, a slowly moving car approached and ran over him. The impact was fatal.

The car was being driven by a 16-year-old boy, a Class 12 student who lived nearby in a rented house. His father, Surendra Pratap Rathore, had come from their village to visit him. When the boy asked for the car keys to go on a short drive, the father handed them over — a decision that proved catastrophic.

The entire incident was captured on CCTV. The visuals are chilling: a toddler innocently stepping onto the road, a car approaching slowly, and then the unthinkable. His grandmother’s cries and attempts to save him came too late. Rishik was declared dead shortly after.

FIR Filed Against Minor and His Father
Ratlam SP Amit Kumar confirmed that FIRs have been registered against both the minor and his father. “This is a very tragic incident. A minor driving a car resulted in the death of a toddler. We are treating the case with utmost seriousness. The law will take its course. No one is above it,” he said.

Police Crackdown and Political Heat
In response to the incident, Ratlam police launched a crackdown on underage driving across the city. Several minors were caught driving illegally, and vehicles were seized. But one such action led to unexpected political tension.

During the crackdown, police reportedly seized a vehicle linked to BJP District General Secretary Nirmal Kataria’s family — allegedly being driven by another underage boy. What followed was caught on video: Kataria storming into the police station and berating Station House Officer Gayatri Soni, a senior woman officer. Despite his aggressive behaviour, SHO Soni remained calm and stood her ground, earning praise online for her composure.

A Larger Issue at Hand
This tragedy highlights a recurring issue in India — underage driving and lack of parental accountability. In many families, minors casually take the wheel, often with full knowledge of their guardians. But as this case shows, a moment’s mistake can lead to irreversible loss.

Public outrage continues to grow, with demands for stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns. As the investigation continues, Rishik’s grieving family is left to mourn a loss that should never have happened. The question now is: how many more warnings will it take before real change is enforced?