Rahul Gandhi Convoy Accident: UP Police Form SIT in Sultanpur.

Rahul Gandhi Convoy Accident: UP Police Form Three-Member SIT to Probe Sultanpur Collision

Five people reportedly injured as vehicles collide on Purvanchal Expressway; investigation to examine security arrangements and possible lapses

SULTANPUR, October 27: The Uttar Pradesh Police have constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate a multi-vehicle collision involving vehicles travelling behind Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s convoy on the Purvanchal Expressway in Sultanpur district on Monday, October 26.

The investigation was ordered by Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna to establish the circumstances leading to the accident and determine whether any negligence or lapses in security arrangements, convoy escort procedures or traffic management contributed to the incident.

According to reports published on Tuesday, at least five vehicles and an ambulance were involved in the collision, leaving five people with minor injuries. Rahul Gandhi was reported to be safe, and his vehicle was not involved in the collision, according to initial accounts. The exact sequence of events remains subject to investigation.

Three-Member SIT to Examine Accident

The investigation team will be headed by Kiran S., Inspector General of Police, Lucknow Range. The other members are Brij Narayan Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police, Sultanpur, and Ram Krishna Chaturvedi, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Sultanpur.

According to a police headquarters press note issued on Monday, the SIT has been directed to investigate all aspects of the incident and submit a detailed report at the earliest.

The team will examine the sequence of events leading to the collision, the adequacy of security and escort arrangements, and the effectiveness of traffic management during the convoy’s movement. It will also identify any shortcomings, if established, and recommend measures to prevent similar accidents during VIP movements.

How Did the Collision Occur?

The accident occurred on the Purvanchal Expressway in Sultanpur district while Rahul Gandhi was travelling from Lucknow to attend a hearing in a defamation case before a special MP-MLA court.

According to preliminary information cited by police, a private vehicle at the front of the group reportedly applied its brakes suddenly, causing vehicles behind it to collide. The vehicles involved reportedly included those carrying Congress workers and other people accompanying the convoy.

Reports published on October 27 stated that five people sustained minor injuries. An ambulance was also involved, and injured people reportedly received treatment at the scene.

However, investigators are yet to establish the complete sequence of events and determine whether any procedural or traffic-management failures contributed to the collision.

Why Was Rahul Gandhi Visiting Sultanpur?

The Congress leader was travelling to Sultanpur to attend proceedings in a defamation case dating back to 2018. The complaint concerned alleged objectionable remarks he made about Amit Shah, who was then the BJP president, during a press conference in Bengaluru ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections.

The complaint was filed by local BJP politician Vijay Mishra. The case subsequently proceeded before a special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur.

On October 26, 2026, the court acquitted Rahul Gandhi in the case, citing a lack of evidence, according to published reports. The court proceedings and the convoy accident were separate developments that occurred during the same visit.

What Has the Congress Said?

Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi told the Press Trust of India that Rahul Gandhi was safe and that his vehicle had not been involved in the collision. He described the incident as minor, while the convoy continued towards Sultanpur.

As of the latest reports reviewed for this article, no verified public reaction from senior political leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge or Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath specifically addressing the accident could be confirmed. Their reactions should not be inferred or attributed without a reliable statement.

What Happens Next?

The SIT’s findings will be important in determining whether the accident resulted from sudden braking, inadequate coordination between vehicles, shortcomings in escort arrangements or other factors.

The inquiry is also expected to examine how vehicles joined and travelled with the convoy and whether appropriate safety procedures were followed.

The incident highlights the importance of maintaining safe distances, clear communication and effective traffic coordination during VIP movements, particularly on high-speed expressways.

For now, the focus remains on establishing the facts, assessing the injuries and identifying any lapses supported by evidence. The final conclusions will depend on the SIT’s investigation.