A shocking incident inside a gated community in Indore has left one woman dead and several others injured after an 18-year-old allegedly drove a car into a group of residents following a dispute linked to short-term rentals.
CCTV captures moment of impact
CCTV footage, now part of the police investigation, shows a car speeding into a gathering of residents inside Shiv Vatika Township. In the video, the vehicle is seen hitting a woman before making another pass, reportedly injuring more people as residents scramble for safety.
The deceased has been identified as Shampa Pathak Pandey, a software engineer who had recently moved into the township with her family.
Dispute over Airbnb rentals escalated
According to police, tensions had been brewing among residents over the alleged commercial use of a penthouse in the Sagarshree Enclave building. Concerns were raised about frequent entry of outsiders through short-term rental platforms like Airbnb.
What began as a disagreement reportedly escalated into a confrontation between two groups on Wednesday night.
Police said the accused teenager—son of the penthouse owner—allegedly drove into the crowd during the altercation.
Murder case registered
Assistant Commissioner of Police Parag Saini confirmed that a case of murder and attempted murder has been registered against the teenager and his father, identified as Kuldeep.
Several injured residents are currently undergoing treatment, though officials have not disclosed the exact number of casualties.
Concerns over short-term rentals
The incident has reignited concerns over the use of residential properties for short-term rentals in housing societies. Residents have raised questions about security, regulation, and accountability in such arrangements.
Authorities are continuing their investigation as the case highlights the risks of unresolved disputes escalating into serious violence.