New Delhi, Jun 16 A Delhi court has convicted an auto-rickshaw driver of attempt to murder for allegedly running over a police officer and dragging him for 20-25 metres following a road rage altercation in south Delhi last year.
Additional Sessions Judge Purshotam Pathak was hearing the case against Prem Pal, who was accused in a case registered under IPC Section 307 (attempt to murder) and said that the CCTV footage clearly showed him deliberately driving his auto into the victim after a heated exchange.
In an order dated June 8, the court said, "The incident which had taken place was not instantaneous and sudden but deliberate with a defined motive. Accused/ Driver's intents to kill the complainant is established from his conduct of running over the victim with Auto after arguments."
According to the prosecution, the incident took place on June 10, 2024, near a school in Dakshinpuri when complainant Mohan Lal, a Delhi Police sub-inspector, objected to the accused reversing his auto-rickshaw negligently.
The prosecution said the accused abused the complainant during the argument. When Mohan Lal began photographing the auto-rickshaw, the accused allegedly retaliated by driving the vehicle towards him, running over him and dragging him for about 20-25 metres.
The complainant suffered injuries to his leg and back and was taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre. Medical records showed abrasions and a facial fracture, with the injuries opined to be grievous.
The defence claimed the complainant was intoxicated and had blocked the auto-rickshaw's path. It argued that the victim was injured after suddenly coming in front of the vehicle and that there was no intention to kill.
Rejecting the contention, the court said the CCTV footage was the most crucial piece of evidence and corroborated the complainant's version.
"The entire CCTV seen in totality reveals that the accused with prior intention and knowledge drove his auto upon and over the complainant to kill him," the court said.
Observing that road rage incidents cannot be dealt with lightly, the judge said the accused's conduct demonstrated a clear intention to cause death.
"The daringness of the accused is evident from the fact that he committed such a serious offence owing to a small altercation and that too in daylight at a heavily crowded place," the court said.
Holding that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, the court convicted the accused and posted the matter for hearing on sentence.
