Barnet: Video shows van which killed 80-year-old pedestrian - reward offered

Police have released video footage showing a van that killed a man in a supermarket car park last September.

Two men are thought to have been in the vehicle which killed Bhagwanji Rughani and a £20,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to a conviction.

The 80-year-old died after being struck by a white van in Colney Hatch, Barnet, on Saturday September 24 2022.

Footage shows the van, which had cloned registration plates, driving around the Tesco car park at the Coppetts Centre at approximately about 4.50pm.

The van came to a sudden stop and quickly reversed, hitting Mr Rughani. It drove from the scene without stopping.

Mr Rughani was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries the following day.

Marking the first anniversary of his death, Mr Rughani's family said in a statement: “The whole family are devastated with the tragic loss of our loving father and we all miss him dearly everyday.”

Detective Constable Jonathan Stokes, from the Met’s Road and Transport Policing Command, said: “It is now one-year since this tragic incident and Mr Rughani’s family and friends remain shattered by his death. A reward of £20,000 is available for anyone who can provide information to Crimestoppers that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

“I would appeal to anyone who knows who was driving that van, or anyone who has information that could progress this investigation to get in contact immediately.”

The £20,000 reward is being offered by the independent charity Crimestoppers, and London regional manager Alexa Loukas said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Rughani, who are still feeling the pain of losing a loved one in such an awful way. Please remember that with our charity, we promise no police, no courts, no witness statements. All you have to do is tell us what you know.

"Crimestoppers, which is completely independent of the police, keeps its promise of 100% anonymity to more than a thousand people who trust us with their crime information every single day.

“Share what you know by calling our UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week or use our website’s secure anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No one will ever know you contacted us. We cannot trace your call or track your IP address and we never ask for or record any personal information.”

Two men were previously arrested as part of the investigation but were released with no further action.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call 020 8246 9820 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD 4826/24Sep22.

To be eligible for the Crimestoppers reward and to stay anonymous, contact the independent charity on 0800 555 111 or via its website.