INDORE (Friday, March 27, 2026) — A dispute over the commercial use of a penthouse in an upscale Indore residential society turned into a horrific act of violence on Wednesday night. An 18-year-old boy, allegedly encouraged by his father, repeatedly rammed his car into a group of protesting neighbors, killing Shampa Pathak Pandey, a 42-year-old software engineer, and injuring several others.
The Spark: A Conflict Over “Short-Term Rentals”
The incident took place around 10:30 PM on March 25 at the Shiv Vatika Township (Sagarshree Enclave) under the Lasudia police station area.
- The Objections: Residents had long opposed penthouse owner Kuldeep Chaudhary‘s decision to rent out his property through Airbnb. They cited security concerns and the frequent movement of outsiders late at night.
- The Escalation: Tensions peaked when residents allegedly cut the power supply to the penthouse. In retaliation, Kuldeep came downstairs and cut off the electricity to the entire building.
- The Call for Violence: During a heated argument with residents—including some who were merely bystanders like Shampa and her husband—Kuldeep reportedly called his son, Mohnish Chaudhary, saying, “Let’s deal with them today.”
The Incident: “Two Speeding Laps”
According to police and chilling CCTV footage captured at the scene:
- The First Hit: Mohnish arrived in a car and drove at speeds of 60-70 km/h across the campus. In his first lap, he hit Raanu Rawat, the wife of a society security guard who was out for a walk.
- The Fatal Lap: Instead of stopping, the teenager made a second lap. He drove directly toward Shampa Pathak Pandey, who had shifted to the society just 15 days prior.
- The Impact: Shampa was thrown onto the bonnet and then crushed between the car and a wall when Mohnish failed to hit the brakes. She sustained a fatal brain hemorrhage and was declared dead at Bombay Hospital.
[Image: CCTV still showing a white car charging toward a group of residents in a residential parking lot]
Legal Action & Arrests
The Lasudia Police acted swiftly, arresting both the father and son within hours of the incident.
| Accused | Age | Role | Charges (BNS) |
| Kuldeep Chaudhary | 42 | Father / Penthouse Owner | Sec 103(1) [Murder], Sec 109(1) [Attempt to Murder] |
| Mohnish Chaudhary | 18 | Son / Driver | Sec 103(1) [Murder], Sec 109(1) [Attempt to Murder] |
Note: Mohnish had recently turned 18 on March 20, 2026, meaning he will be tried as an adult. Police noted that both accused displayed an “aggressive mindset” and showed no remorse during questioning.
Key Takeaways for Housing Societies
This tragedy has reignited the national debate over the commercialization of residential spaces:
- Regulatory Gap: Residents had previously complained to the local municipal councillor and police about the Airbnb operations, but no preventive action was taken.
- Security vs. Revenue: The case highlights the growing friction between property owners seeking “passive income” via tech platforms and residents prioritizing safety.
Sources
- The Hindu: “Woman techie killed as 18-year-old boy runs her over by car over society dispute in Indore” (March 27, 2026).
- The Times of India: “Indore horror: Techie killed as man rams car into residents amid penthouse dispute” (March 26, 2026).
- Hindustan Times: “Car mows down engineer, injures caretaker in Indore residential complex; 2 held” (March 26, 2026).
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