Woman killed by pickup van after dispute in Nadia, husband alleges murder

A tragic incident unfolded in Nadia district on Sunday night, where a woman named Tandra Vishwas (32) lost her life after being hit by a speeding pickup van. The incident occurred in the Taherpur police station area under Ranaghat. According to the police, Tandra and her husband Sujan Vishwas, a local medicine businessman, were returning home on a bike when a dispute with a van driver over parking escalated into a fatal attack.

Sujan and Tandra were traveling toward Taherpur after closing their shop when the incident took place. Sources report that Tandra's glasses fell while they were on the road, prompting Sujan to stop the bike to retrieve them. During this time, an engine van approached, and a quarrel ensued between the van driver and the couple, during which the van driver allegedly abused them. The argument led to a brief scuffle, after which the van driver called for a pickup van.

Shortly after the quarrel seemed to be resolved, the pickup van driver arrived, escalated the situation by beating Sujan, and then fled the scene. As both parties were leaving, the pickup van driver suddenly sped up, turned off his headlights, and deliberately hit Tandra. The impact of the hit also injured two other people at the scene.

Tandra was rushed to the hospital by bystanders but was declared dead upon arrival. Sujan Vishwas has since alleged that the incident was a premeditated murder, as the dispute had already been settled when the attack occurred. He lodged a formal complaint with the police, accusing the van driver of intentionally killing his wife.

On Monday, SDPPO Shailaja Das confirmed that a murder case has been registered against the pickup van driver, who has since been arrested. The vehicle involved has also been seized. Das further stated that the police are investigating whether others may have been involved in the incident. Sujan maintains that the driver’s actions were deliberate, citing the driver's sudden acceleration and switch-off of the headlights before hitting Tandra as evidence of intent.