Driver arrested in Devi Talab Mandir hit-and-run accident

The city police have arrested a man identified as Bablu, a resident of Kot Baba Deep Singh Nagar, in connection with the hit-and-run accident that took place outside Shri Devi Talab Mandir late Monday night.

Bablu, the driver of the XUV involved in the incident, had been on the run since the accident.

Division Number 8 police officials have confirmed that that multiple raids were being conducted following the registration of the case on Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off, Bablu was apprehended on Saturday. Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle, an SUV with registration number Punjab 08DU 4559, was owned by Gurnam Singh, who is now deceased. The car was reportedly shared between Gurnam Singh’s nephews, Bablu and Karan.

According to the police, Bablu runs a grocery shop, while his father Mukhtiar Singh drives a tempo and his cousin Karan works for an e-commerce company. The police have also discovered that the vehicle’s insurance had lapsed in August 2018. Further inquiry confirmed that Bablu was driving the car at the time of the accident.

The incident occurred when Priya, a resident of Gopal Nagar, visited Devi Talab Mandir with her two children and a relative Sandeep Arora to offer prayers on her NRI husband's birthday. Finding the temple closed, Priya went to give alms to a poor man near the temple. It was at this moment that the speeding SUV struck them, leaving her dead on the spot, while her eight-year-old son Rudra survived.

A case was registered under Sections 281 and 106 of the BNS based on a complaint lodged by Priya’s brother, Kishan Mohan, a resident of Neela Mahal. Further investigation into the case is underway, said police officials.