Motorcyclist’s death sparks outrage, kin allege police laxity

A day after a video went viral showing a car colliding with and killing a 22-year-old motorcyclist on Golf Course Road, the victim’s family and supporters criticised the Gurugram police for not charging the accused with non-culpable homicide.

They highlighted that the accused, Kuldeep Thakur, was a repeat offender with multiple challans for wrong-side driving against him. The family and friends of the deceased, Akshat Garg, claimed this was anything but a case of death by negligence, as stated in the FIR.

Demand tougher charges

• The victim’s family claimed that the accused was a repeat offender with multiple challans for wrong-side driving against him
• They criticised the Gurugram police for not charging the accused with non-culpable homicide
• Wrong-side driving and sports bikes are significant hazards on Gurugram roads. The Gurugram police have issued 16,000 challans in August for wrong-side driving in the city

“That man was coming from the wrong side. We have learnt he had multiple challans against him. He was granted bail within hours, and the police did not even bother to check the GoPro footage from his friend. The charges against him should have been more severe,” said Garg’s uncle.

Sources claim that Thakur, who is reportedly handling the election campaign of a BJP leader and had multiple BJP stickers on his car, couldn’t produce a valid licence and has been given time by the police to do so. He was last challaned on August 24 for wrong-side driving and improper parking.

The accused stated that Google Maps directed him to drive the wrong way. In an official statement, the Gurugram police claimed they had registered the FIR and taken action as per the law. “The investigation in this case is ongoing, and additional charges will be added based on emerging facts,” said a spokesperson for the Gurugram police.

A preliminary investigation report accessed by The Tribune identified the car driver as the key culprit but also noted that Garg was speeding on his bike along with a friend. Had he been within the speed limit, the impact of the collision might have been less severe. According to viral videos, the collision left his bike mangled.

It should be noted that wrong-side driving and sports bikes are significant hazards on Gurugram roads. The Gurugram police have issued 16,000 challans in the last month for wrong-side driving in the city. Sunday sports bike races and rallies on major highways and roads, such as Golf Course Road, have been cited as a deadly menace by the police.