The Hindu : New Delhi News : Traffic policemen shifted to lines

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 10, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Traffic policemen shifted to lines

Prashant Pandey

NEW DELHI: A sub-inspector and two constables of the Delhi traffic police have been shifted to the lines on prima facie charges of negligence in connection with the death of a tempo driver whom they had stopped apparently for a routine check at Janakpuri in West Delhi on Monday.

A motorcyclist had knocked the driver down while he was crossing the road to meet the traffic cops.

According to the police, tempo driver, Rajesh alias Satish (30), a resident of Prajapati Colony in West Delhi, was taking a consignment of earthen pots to sell in the market at Sagarpur. Around 5 p.m., traffic policemen stopped him near Pankha Road.While Rajesh was crossing the road, a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction knocked him down. Rajesh was rushed to DDU Hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Meanwhile, the motorcycle rider, Ram Kumar, was arrested.Following Rajesh's death, residents of Prajapati Colony gathered at Janakpuri police station alleging that the traffic police personnel were responsible for his death and demanded their arrest.

They further alleged that the personnel wanted to make some money on the pretext of checking the documents. Senior traffic police officials inquired into the incident and found that Zonal Officer (equivalent to sub-inspector), Asha Ram, constable Ram Chandra and another constable who were on duty near Pankha Road were prima facie negligent in discharging their duty.

"The personnel were within their rights to stop a vehiclebut they should have been careful not to put the life of the person in danger," said an officer. He added that an inquiry was also on whether they wanted to make money by harassing the driver.

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