INDORE: A chilling CCTV video has captured the moment an 18-year-old allegedly drove a car into a group of residents inside a gated township in Indore, killing a woman software engineer and injuring several others after a dispute over an Airbnb rental spiralled into violence. The footage, now part of the police investigation, shows chaos unfolding inside the residential complex. A car is seen speeding into a cluster of people, knocking down a woman. Minutes later, in a second pass, the vehicle appears to mow down another woman as residents scatter in panic. The woman who died has been identified as Shampa Pathak Pandey, a software engineer who had recently moved into Shiv Vatika Township with her family. According to her husband, Saurabh, tensions had been building among residents over the alleged commercial use of a penthouse in the Sagarshree Enclave building. Residents had raised concerns about the frequent movement of outsiders — including foreigners, couples and young visitors — entering the premises through short-term rentals facilitated via Airbnb, police said. What began as a disagreement reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation between two groups on Wednesday night. Police said the teenager, the son of the penthouse owners, allegedly drove the car into the crowd during the clash. Assistant commissioner of Police Parag Saini said a case of murder and attempted murder has been registered against the teenager and his father, identified as Kuldeep. Several injured residents are undergoing treatment, though officials have not disclosed the exact number. The incident has once again raised questions around the use of residential properties for short-term rentals and the lack of clear regulations governing such arrangements in housing societies.
