What began as a routine traffic checking drive at Rampurghat of Paonta Sahib police subdivision of Sirmaur district quickly escalated into a serious law-and-order incident after a scooter rider allegedly objected to being challaned for traffic violations, leading to an assault on a police official on duty.
A complaint was lodged by Head Constable Pradeep Kumar, posted at the Rampurghat Police Booth, who alleged that he was attacked while performing his official duties during a traffic enforcement drive on the evening of June 13.
According to the complaint, the police team was conducting traffic checks in the Rampurghat, Kunja Matralion and Pahadi Colony areas when a scooter bearing registration number HP17H-1248 was stopped. The rider was reportedly not wearing a helmet and failed to produce a valid driving licence, claiming that he had applied for one but had not yet received it. Following this, the police official issued a challan under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The scooter rider was identified as Mohit, while the pillion rider was his mother Savita — residents of Patti Nathha Singh, Shivpur, Paonta Sahib. Police said that shortly after the challan was issued, Mohit allegedly called his father, Sachin, who arrived at the spot in a car.
An argument over the challan allegedly turned violent, with the three accused reportedly pushing, manhandling and assaulting the policeman. The complaint further states that Sachin and Mohit grabbed the official by the neck, while Savita allegedly slapped him. Sachin is also accused of snatching a gold earring from the policeman’s left ear, causing injuries. The accused allegedly fled the scene after the assault.
Police subsequently registered a case and launched an investigation. Sachin was arrested and produced in court yesterday, which remanded him to three days of police custody. Savita was also arrested and will be produced in court. Further probe is underway, and efforts are on to apprehend the remaining accused.
