Traffic Constable Dragged on Car Bonnet During Drunk Driving Check in West Delhi
In a shocking incident highlighting the perils faced by traffic personnel, a constable was dragged on the bonnet of a car after being struck during a routine drunken driving check in west Delhi's Janakpuri area on Saturday. The event, captured on video by a passerby, has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread concern over officer safety.
Incident Details and Sequence of Events
The incident occurred at approximately 5:52 PM near Bharti College on Lal Sai Marg. Constable Mohan Pal, along with Sub-Inspector Gurdeep Singh, was conducting standard checks for intoxicated drivers as part of their duty. A car bearing a Rajasthan registration number was flagged down for inspection.
Instead of complying, the driver, later identified as Nilesh Kumar from Bagdola in Dwarka, attempted to flee the scene. In his reckless escape attempt, Kumar drove the vehicle directly into Constable Pal, who was positioned in front of the car. The impact caused Pal to fall onto the bonnet of the moving car.
Dangerous Drag and Public Intervention
The constable was dragged for several metres as the car continued moving, clinging to the bonnet before eventually falling onto the road. Bystanders and nearby individuals quickly intervened, helping to stop the vehicle and prevent further harm. Pal was immediately taken for medical attention to assess his injuries.
Traffic authorities promptly impounded the car involved in the incident. A challan was issued under multiple sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, including 185 for drunken driving, 184 for dangerous driving, 179 for disobedience, and 209 for other violations. Although the driver was initially let go, a formal complaint has since been filed, and police are actively searching for Nilesh Kumar to hold him accountable.
Viral Video and Broader Context
The video recorded by a passerby clearly shows Constable Pal clinging to the car's bonnet for a distance before tumbling onto the roadway, where he was subsequently hit by the vehicle. This footage has drawn significant public attention, underscoring the hazardous conditions traffic officers often encounter while performing their duties.
This is not an isolated case in Delhi. Last year, a head constable was similarly dragged on a car bonnet in the Bhalswa Dairy area of northwest Delhi. Earlier in 2024, two traffic police officers were hit and dragged approximately 20 metres after attempting to stop a driver who had jumped a red light in southwest Delhi's Kishangarh. These repeated incidents highlight a troubling pattern of violence against law enforcement personnel on Delhi's roads.
Legal and Safety Implications
The use of sections 185, 184, 179, and 209 of the Motor Vehicles Act indicates serious charges against the driver, encompassing drunken driving, dangerous driving, misbehavior, and other traffic violations. The police's decision to file a complaint and launch a search emphasizes the gravity of the offense and the commitment to enforcing road safety laws.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the risks traffic police face daily and the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and public cooperation to prevent such dangerous encounters in the future.
