Raipur/Dhamtari: Mumbai biker Riddhi Thakkar, 24, died early Wednesday, August 12, after the motorcycle she was riding was struck by a trailer on National Highway 30 near Markatola Ghat in Chhattisgarh. The driver fled the scene immediately after the collision, and police have registered the case as a Chhattisgarh hit-and-run while they work to trace the vehicle.
Thakkar, a resident of Kandivali West in Mumbai (some reports place her in Borivali West), was travelling with a group of around 20 to 23 motorcyclists on a tour from Raipur to Kanker in the Bastar region. She had ridden solo from Mumbai to Raipur, via Aurangabad and Nagpur, before joining the group for the onward leg of the journey.
The Crash Near Markatola Ghat
The NH-30 accident took place between 5 and 6 a.m., in an area under Purur police station, roughly 20 to 24 km from Dhamtari and about 100 km from Raipur, where the Balod, Dhamtari and Kanker districts meet. Police said most of the group had ridden ahead while Thakkar and a few other riders were travelling behind her.
A trailer, described in various accounts as speeding or approaching from the opposite direction, collided with the Bajaj Avenger motorcycle, registration MH 12 SP 0835, being ridden by Mumbai biker Riddhi Thakkar. The impact threw her onto the road and left her with critical injuries, including severe damage to her legs.
Fellow riders and local residents rushed to her aid and alerted the 112 emergency helpline. She was first taken to the Community Health Centre in Charama, in Kanker district, and later referred to Shriram Hospital, a private facility in Dhamtari, as her condition worsened. Doctors pronounced her dead there; one account puts the time of death at around 8:30 a.m.
Police Investigation Underway
Balod Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan and other officials confirmed that efforts were on to identify the trailer and its driver. Investigators are questioning members of the biking group about the sequence of events and examining CCTV footage from stretches of highway near the site of the Mumbai Biker Riddhi Thakkar accident. A case of unnatural death has been registered at the local police station.
After completing formalities at the hospital, police sent Thakkar’s body for a post-mortem examination at the District Hospital in Dhamtari. Her family was informed, and the body was later moved to Mumbai, where her father arrived to take charge of the remains.
Mumbai Biker Riddhi Thakkar: A Passionate Rider Known Online
Riddhi Thakkar was known in biking circles for her long-distance rides and kept an active Instagram presence under the handle @gearglimpse54, with between 16,000 and 18,000 followers. Her recent posts included visits to a temple in Aurangabad and the Wainganga River.
On YouTube, she once described herself as a rider carving her own path “in a world where the throttle doesn’t care about gender.” Some reports said she also worked as a makeup artist and had represented India at an Asian Championship Makeup event in Kazakhstan.
The rest of her riding group was left in shock, and tributes for Mumbai biker Riddhi Thakkar have poured in online from fellow bikers and followers. Her death has revived debate among motorcyclists about two-wheeler safety on national highways, even as the pull of long-distance touring continues to draw young riders across India. Police said the hit-and-run investigation remains active.
Key Points: Riddhi Thakkar Incident
Personal Profile & Identity
- Full Name: Riddhi Divyesh Thakkar (Riddhi Thakkar)
- Age: 24 years old
- Residence: Kandivali West (Borivali West in some reports), Mumbai
- Profession: Professional Makeup Artist (represented India at the Asian Championship Makeup event in Kazakhstan)
- Passion: Long-distance solo and group motorcycle riding
Ride & Route Details
- Solo Phase: Ridden solo from Mumbai to Raipur via Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar) and Nagpur.
- Group Tour: Joined a biking group of 20–23 motorcyclists in Raipur heading towards Kanker in the Bastar region.
- Motorcycle Used: Bajaj Avenger (Registration Number: MH 12 SP 0835)
Accident Details & Timeline
- Date & Time: Wednesday, August 12, 2026, between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM.
- Location: NH-30 near Markatola Ghat (Purur Police Station jurisdiction), 20–24 km from Dhamtari and ~100 km from Raipur (bordering Balod, Dhamtari, and Kanker districts).
- Cause: A speeding trailer truck collided with her motorcycle while she was trailing behind the main group of riders.
- Impact: Thrown onto the highway, sustaining critical injuries, including severe damage to her legs.
Emergency Response & Medical Care
- Initial Aid: Fellow riders and local residents called the 112 emergency helpline.
- First Hospital: Taken to the Community Health Centre in Charama (Kanker district).
- Referral: Shifted to Shriram Hospital (private hospital) in Dhamtari due to critical condition.
- Time of Death: Pronounced dead around 8:30 AM.
- Repatriation: Post-mortem conducted at District Hospital, Dhamtari; body handed over to her father to be brought back to Mumbai.
Police Investigation & Legal Status
- Case Type: Registered as an unnatural death and hit-and-run case.
- Culprit Status: Trailer truck driver fled the scene immediately with the vehicle.
- Key Officials: Balod Superintendent of Police (SP) Kiran Chavan overseeing the investigation.
- Evidence Collection: Scanning CCTV footage along NH-30 stretches and recording statements from fellow riders in the group.
Social Media Presence & Impact
- Instagram Handle: @gearglimpse54 (21.9K followers).
- Content: Documented long-distance rides, temple visits, and scenic locations (e.g., Wainganga River).
- Motto: Promoted female riding with videos describing herself as carving her path “in a world where the throttle doesn’t care about gender.”
- Aftermath: Triggered nationwide mourning among biking communities and sparked discussions regarding two-wheeler safety on major national highways.
