Andhra MP's son tests negative for alcohol after Aston Martin crash, avoids arrest

Preliminary alcohol and drug tests on Lingamaneni Sanjush came back negative after the fatal Hyderabad crash. Police said forensic, vehicle inspection and post-mortem reports will determine any further action.Police said further action, including arrest, would be taken if subsequent evidence warrants it. (File photo: ITG)Preliminary alcohol and drug tests conducted on Lingamaneni Sanjush, 21, son of Andhra Pradesh Rajya Sabha MP Lingamaneni Ramesh, have returned negative following the fatal Aston Martin crash in Hyderabad, police said.Sanjush was driving the luxury car when it struck 26-year-old sales executive Bharati Mukhi near Inorbit Mall on August 16. Bharati sustained critical injuries in the collision and was taken to Apollo Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.According to police, Sanjush was driving at high speed and in a rash and negligent manner when the accident occurred. The luxury vehicle has since been seized and inspected by a Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI), with the inspection report awaited.BLOOD SAMPLE SENT FOR FORENSIC EXAMINATIONAlthough preliminary tests for alcohol and drugs were negative, police have sent Sanjush's blood sample to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for further examination. The forensic report, along with the MVI report and post-mortem findings, will form part of the ongoing investigation. Police have registered a case under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with causing death by a rash or negligent act and carries a maximum punishment of five years.Police said they did not find grounds for Sanjush's immediate arrest based on the material available at the time. He was instead served a notice under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), directing him to cooperate with the investigation. The DCP also rejected claims that Sanjush was not arrested because of political or external influence. The officer said the decision was taken in accordance with legal requirements and Supreme Court guidelines.A notice was issued to ensure his cooperation, while police said further action, including arrest, would follow if subsequent evidence warrants it.FURTHER ACTION DEPENDS ON EVIDENCEPolice said further action, including arrest, would be taken if subsequent evidence warrants it. Investigators are examining the circumstances of the crash and gathering forensic and technical evidence.The Aston Martin was reportedly not registered in Sanjush's name.Sanjush has said he did not flee the accident spot after the collision. He claimed he took Bharati to the hospital and subsequently cooperated with the police investigation.Bharati's remains were handed over to her brother following the post-mortem examination and were later taken to Odisha. The post-mortem report is also awaited.Bharati, who worked as a sales executive, was reportedly the sole earning member of her family. Her death has prompted calls for financial assistance to her family as the police investigation into the crash continues.- EndsWith inputs from Abdul Basheer and agenciesPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Aug 22, 2026 08:32 IST