GURGAON: Three cops and an SPO were suspended after a car driven by one of them – an ASI – crashed into a pilot vehicle escorting a VIP car near INOX Mall at Sector 4/7 intersection in the city on New Year’s Eve, police said.Those suspended include ASI Baljit, head constables Sanjay and Hansraj, and SPO Ajay Pal. The pilot vehicle was part of the convoy of city MLA Mukesh Sharma, who was travelling in a car behind it, police said. Sharma could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts by TOI.
According to the FIR registered at New Colony police station, the incident took place around 9.30pm on Dec 31. ASI Baljit, posted at the same police station, arrived at a checkpoint set up as part of New Year Eve security arrangements near INOX Mall in a white Hyundai Venue. The checkpoint was being supervised by SI Ramesh along with other personnel. The FIR also states that Baljit later left the mall with SPO Ajay Pal and asked head constables Sanjay and Hansraj, who were on duty at the checkpoint, to sit in his car, saying they were going out to eat. While driving at high speed, the ASI allegedly took a sharp U-turn at Sector 4/7 intersection towards New Colony and hit the VIP pilot vehicle, a Scorpio coming from the railway station side. An argument followed when the pilot vehicle got damaged in the crash at the spot. SI Ramesh, who witnessed the incident, reached the site and found that the ASI’s car did not have a number plate at the front. The FIR also states that Baljit appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. After receiving information about the crash, SI Naresh and other policemen reached the spot. On SI Ramesh’s complaint, police registered a case under BNS sections 281 (rash driving), 125 (rash or negligent acts endangering life), and 324(4) (mischief), and Section 185 (drunk driving) of the Motor Vehicles Act against the cops at New Colony police station. A senior police officer said Baljit was not on duty at the time. “We are checking whether he was under the influence of alcohol,” the officer said, adding that a disciplinary action was initiated against all 3 cops and SPO on charges of misconduct and violation of service rules.
