Why is ‘Justice for Priya Singh’ Trending?

Indian X users are demanding justice for Priya Singh, an influencer with over one million Instagram followers.

She is known for posting fitness and fashion content but why is she in the headlines?

Priya was allegedly beaten and run over by her boyfriend near a hotel in Thane, Maharashtra, leaving her hospitalised.

Priya said she was in a relationship with Ashwajit Gaikwad – the son of a senior bureaucrat – for several years.

Detailing the incident, Priya said Gaikwad called her at around 4 am on December 11, 2023. He had been at a family function so Priya met him there.

Noticing that he was “behaving strangely”, Priya asked to talk to her boyfriend in private.

But when she exited the venue and waited for him, Gaikwad and his friends came outside.

Priya tried to speak to Gaikwad but a friend named Romil Patil would not allow her and began insulting her.

Things heated up as Gaikwad and Patil argued.

However, things then took a dark turn.

Priya explained: “My boyfriend and his friend used abusive language to which I asked my boyfriend to defend me and not abuse which led to the start of something beyond my imagination.

“My boyfriend slapped me, tried to strangle my neck, I tried to push him away.

“He bit my hand, beat me, pulled my hair and his friend out of nowhere pushed me to the ground.”

According to Priya Singh, Gaikwad told his driver to run her over. Afterwards, they fled the scene.

Priya claimed she was lying on the road for nearly 30 minutes before a passerby called for help.

She also alleged that the driver returned to check if she was “dead or alive” before taking her to hospital to avoid police involvement.

During the journey, the driver allegedly threatened Priya not to tell anyone.

Speaking about her injuries, Priya said:

“Three bones in my right leg are broken, it has been operated on.

“From my left shoulder to my hips I’ve deep injuries. I cannot move my body.”

A case has been registered against Ashwajit Gaikwad and two others under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 279 (rash driving) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

Meanwhile, Gaikwad has dismissed the allegations and claimed that he and Priya are nothing more than friends.

Claiming it is an extortion attempt, Gaikwad said:

“Whatever has been portrayed is untrue. She (Priya Singh) is just a friend of mine.

“She came in a drunken condition to a hotel where I was involved in a family function and forced me to talk to her.

“When I refused, she started abusing me. She also assaulted my friends when they tried to intervene in the matter.

“When my driver, Shelke, started my car so that she would step aside, she fell.

“The accident was not intentional.

“This is nothing, but a way to extort money from me. I have also given her money in the past and I have all the records.”

Priya fired back at Gaikwad’s claims that they were not in a relationship, sharing loved-up pictures.

Although a case has been registered, no arrests have been made, sparking outrage on social media.

Many have stated that political influence should not prevent guilty people from facing justice.

One person said: “Justice for Priya Singh is a battle for all of us. It’s time to break the chains of political favouritism and ensure that every voice is heard.”

Another commented: “The tale of justice for Priya Singh is a painful reflection of a broken system.

“Let’s raise our voices and demand justice for her. No one should be above the law.”