UK Court Sentences Two Indian-Origin Men to 28 Years in Jail Over Fatal Street Race

A court in the United Kingdom has sentenced two Indian-origin men to a combined 28 years in prison for dangerous street racing that led to the deaths of a 27-year-old mother and her four-year-old daughter. Jaskamal Riath, 37, a car salesman, was sentenced to 16 years, while Hardeep Bhachu, 29, received a 12-year prison term. The fatal crash occurred in January 2023 on Scott Hall Road in northern England, when Justyna Hulboj and her daughter, Lena, were walking to school. Bhachu, driving an Audi TT RS at excessive speed, lost control of the vehicle, mounted the pavement and struck the pair. Both suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.

The police investigation revealed that the two drivers had reportedly met at a traffic signal just minutes before the crash. Although they had not previously known each other, they allegedly exchanged remarks about their sports cars and engine power before engaging in a race, with Riath driving a BMW and Bhachu behind the wheel of the Audi. On a road with a 40 mph speed limit, Bhachu was travelling at approximately 90 mph when he lost control. CCTV and dashcam footage reportedly captured Riath participating in the race. Judge Ray Singh condemned the dangerous conduct, stressing that public roads are not racetracks and that excessive speed can have devastating consequences. The court also disqualified both men from driving for six years.