Man, 3 grandchildren hurt as auto overturns

Tribune News Service

Ambala, January 18

Four persons, including three children, suffered injuries after the auto-rickshaw they were travelling in was reportedly hit by a vehicle near Devi Nagar here today.

The injured persons have been identified as Dharmpal (58), Daljeet (7), Bhawna (9) and Komal (12). They were rushed to the Civil Hospital, Ambala City. The suspects have been identified as Sanjeev Kumar, a resident of Hoshiarpur, and Gurnaik Singh, a resident of Jalandhar.

Dharmpal, grandfather of the children who was plying the auto, alleged that he was on his way to drop his grandchildren to a government school in Devi Nagar. When they crossed the vegetable market around 9 am, a four-wheeler hit his auto from the rear. Due to the impact of the collision, his auto overturned. He, along with his grandchildren, suffered injuries.

The suspects, who were in police uniform, tried to flee after the mishap. However, passers-by chased them and caught them at the Devi Nagar toll plaza.

According to information, the vehicle (PCC 82) was being driven by Sanjeev Kumar, while Gurnaik Singh was accompanying him. The duo was on their way towards Punjab after dropping a senior official to New Delhi.

After getting information District Education Officer Uma Sharma and Deputy District Education Officer Sudhir Kalra reached the hospital.

A liquor box was also recovered from the car. A video of a policeman running with a box of liquor bottles was also captured in the CCTV footage of the toll plaza.

A case has been registered under Sections 279, and 337 of the IPC and Section 61 of the Excise Act at the Ambala Sadar police station.

SI Suresh, SHO, Sadar police station, said: “They were on their way after dropping a senior official. The duo has been arrested and their medical was conducted. As per the test results, they haven’t consumed alcohol.”

SP Abhishek Jorwal said: “There were two cops of the Punjab Police in the car. A box of liquor bottles has been recovered from their possession. The matter is being investigated.”