A Delhi Traffic Police constable was mowed down by a car in Moti Nagar area in West Delhi following an argument with the occupants of the car over flouting traffic restriction on Saturday around 7.30 pm, police said on Sunday.
The prime accused, 26-year-old Raman Kant, and his two minor friends, had picked an argument with 25-year-old traffic constable Mana Ram on being asked to take diversion at Zakheera flyover. Assuming that they would now take the diversion, the constable started walking away, when suddenly Raman reversed his car and headed towards the flyover. Releasing his car in full throttle, the accused hit the constable. Mana Ram acted bravely and held on to the wiper of the car. The driver did not stop and the constable fell on ground. Mana Ram was dragged about 150 metres.
“Traffic diversions are imposed on the route from 5 pm to 9 pm, and Mana Ram had stopped the car as it was violating it. An argument ensued between the occupants of the car and the constable following which Raman Kant reversed his car and ran over Mana Ram. He dragged him for around 150 metres,” said a senior police official.
Mana Ram was rushed to MGS Hospital in Punjabi Bagh area where he was declared brought dead. The accused had fled the scene of crime, but were nabbed later. The offending vehicle was also seized, said the police.
A case under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered and Raman Kant has been arrested while his two minor friends have been sent to a juvenile remand home, police said. Constable Mana Ram, who hailed from Nagaur in Rajasthan, had joined the force in 2010.
Police honour was given to the slain constable at Traffic Police line, Toda Pur on Sunday, where senior officials led by Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi paid homage to the deceased.
The family of the victim will be given Rs 20 lakh from the Martyrs Fund of the Delhi Police. Rs 5 lakh as insurance, Rs 3 lakh from the Police Welfare Fund, and Rs 10 lakh from the Delhi Government.
Mana Ram has left behind his wife, a two-year-old son, two younger sisters and an old father. Family members of the deceased are in a state of shock as the sole bread earner of their family is no more. “He used to save each penny and did not even take a room in the city and chose to sleep in the barracks. His younger sister was soon to get married. His mother expired recently. His son is young and we don’t know who will take care of them,” said a family member.