The AudiQ8 of state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule’s son Sanket was intercepted post-accident. Occupants Haore and Chintamwar were mobbed and taken to Timki before police rescue confirmed their alcohol influence. Ongoing investigations include CCTV footage review and blood sample testing.

Like Kumar, Goyal is seen as one of the ‘key enforcers’ – as claimed by the doctors and the political opponents – for the ruling establishment, accused of bending over backwards to protect the government’s image.

The latest diktat, conveyed in Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, comes amid the government’s attempt at containing the damage to its reputation in light of the controversial statements being made by party members such as Udayan Guha and Lovely Maitra