• Staged plan turns into criminal case after woman injured

• Authorities uncover hoax that wasted emergency resources and caused panic

Police said a 24-year-old man, Ranjith Rajan, with the help of a 19-year-old accomplice, staged a fake road accident in Pathanamthitta on the evening of December 23 to convince a family of his responsibility and bravery.

According to investigations, the woman was riding a scooter when the second accused deliberately hit her with a car and fled, before Ranjith arrived in another car, pretending to rescue her and taking her to the hospital.

The accident caused a dislocated right wrist and a fractured finger.

During the incident, Ranjith allegedly told locals he was the woman’s husband in an attempt to appear heroic.

Investigations later revealed that the accident had been premeditated to create the appearance of a brave intervention.

Police confirmed that the staged incident caused public panic and wasted emergency resources. A case has been filed against the men for fabricating an accident and misleading authorities, in addition to charges of attempted murder.

The accused have been referred to the local court, while investigations continue to determine if others were involved.