Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 12 Nov: Youngsters, particularly those driving big cars in Dehradun, continue to fearlessly flout traffic rules and kill people as the Police are often found lacking in effective traffic manning and the courts often found reluctant to award strict sentences to the guilty. A 55-year-old security guard was killed in a suspected street-racing incident involving a Fortuner and a Scorpio in the Vasant Vihar police station area here in Doon late last night.
The victim, identified as Vinod Mall, was reportedly knocked down by one SUV and then run over by another while on duty near the Forest Research Institute (FRI).
According to the police, Vinod Mall, a resident of Mithiberi in Prem Nagar and employed with Alliance Security for the past three years, was carrying out his routine night patrol on a bicycle at around 11 p.m. last night. He was on duty in the Vasant Vihar area near FRI when the incident occurred.
Preliminary information suggests that a speeding Fortuner coming from behind hit his bicycle, causing him to fall on the road. Moments later, a Scorpio travelling behind allegedly ran him over. Mall sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot.
Local residents informed the police immediately after the incident. A team from Vasant Vihar police station reached the spot and carried out an initial investigation. The body was subsequently sent to the mortuary for post-mortem examination.
Police said the post-mortem was conducted today and the body was handed over to the family. Based on a complaint lodged by Mall’s brother-in-law, police are preparing to register a case against unidentified drivers involved in the incident.
The deceased is survived by his wife and two sons. His death has left the family devastated. The incident has also triggered concern among local residents, who alleged that reckless driving and racing by affluent youngsters on city roads poses a serious threat to public safety. Residents have demanded strict action against those responsible and called for increased night patrolling to curb such dangerous activities.
Dehradun SP City Shekhar Suyal said police are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the vehicles and their occupants. He added that the Vasant Vihar police station is in the process of registering a case. CCTV footage from nearby locations is being analysed. The accused will be identified and arrested soon. The Police officials said further action will be taken once the vehicles involved are traced and the identities of the drivers are established.
