The Red Road Hit and Run case in Kolkata
- In Current Affairs
- 11:50 AM, Jan 25, 2016
- Ranabir Bhattacharyya
Ever since Bollywood celebrity actor Salman Khan muscled his way around judicial process and probable arm twisting of available evidence, role of the police in hit and run cases has come under public scanner. The hit and run case in Kolkata, where IAF Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud was crushed to death by a speeding Audi during Republic Day parade rehearsal, has evoked same fears. After huge speculation and criticism all around, as per instructions of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a murder case was filed and a 22 member Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Deputy Commissioner of Detective Department II, Nagendra Tripathi was set up to find the culprits. Prime accused Sambia Sohrab son of former RJD MLA and present TMC leader Mohammed Sohrab, was finally nabbed, possibly after social media raised much hue and cry. His father and TMC leader is said to be absconding at present. This incident has gained national limelight and role of the state government has been questioned ever since the fateful day.
On January 13 this year, the Republic Day parade rehearsal was taking place in Red Road in Kolkata in the early morning hours. 21 year old Abhimanyu Gaud was supervising the parade. The whole area was out of bounds for civilian traffic as the rehearsal was going on. Suddenly around 6:30 AM a new Audi SUV rammed into three security barriers and hit Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud. Although he was immediately taken to the nearby military hospital, he couldn't be saved. IAF Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud was from Surat in Gujarat and he was posted in Kalaikunda airbase in Bengal. After hitting the Officer, the Audi jammed into a barricade and came to a stop. The driver removed the car number plate and fled. Later the police alleged that the driver sprayed huge quantity of perfume in the cabin. The CCTV footage has also confirmed the eye witness accounts showing the officer marching and suddenly he vanishes as an Audi moves fast forward. Police sources have added that the car tried to enter Red Road through another point before being thwarted by the police authorities. Whether there was only the driver inside or more people with has been a matter of confusion ever since the day of the incident. Although Kolkata Police has reiterated that there was more than one person inside the car, the Indian Air Force authorities have stressed on saying that there was only one person inside the car.
The latest development in this case has been interesting as Sambia Sohrab has been arrested and has confessed that he himself was driving the Audi. He has been booked under IPC sections 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 212 (harboring offender) and 427 (mischief causing damage). Both Mohammed Sohrab and his elder son Ambia Sohrab are hiding at some unknown place to escape Police. Look out notices have been sent to nab them as soon as possible. Incidentally the eyewitnesses to the whole incident and probable co passengers in Sohrab's Audi, Johny and Shahnawaz, are also in police custody. Both the families of Johny and Shahnawaz have told the media that they are anticipating possible foul play in framing Johny and Shahnawaz to save Simbia Sohrab. They are alleging that police are trying to frame them, even when they are not guilty. As per the police sources a Test Identification (TI) parade is going to be conducted soon where all witnesses will be called. IAF is conducting their separate investigation is this matter.
Although the main accused Sambia Sohrab has now been arrested from Park Circus 7-point crossing, it remains to be seen whether the Kolkata Police will be proactive in pressing charges in this Red Road hit and run case. Political observers have rightly said that in spite of Mamata Banerjee calling for de-politicization of police, the reality has witnessed just the opposite. There have been loads of cases in the last five years, where police themselves have become soft targets to be hit. And sadly, in most of the cases, there has been official U-turn from top brass TMC leaders to let the convicts free. The case of Alipore police station vandalized by motivated TMC leader, where video footage showed policemen cowering under tables, has become symbolic to the police reality in Bengal. Along with this the minority appeasing tone of the ruling state government cannot be ignored either. From ignoring the planned pro-Islamic Malda riots to bringing Ghulam Ali, the state government has maintained an offensive stance before the Assembly elections scheduled in few months from now. Especially in Kolkata, in various Assembly seats, TMC is trailing as per the last Lok Sabha election's results are concerned. The sense of urgency in getting the religious minority (with numerical majority) support for the ruling party, is also as clear as day light. Localities say that Mohammed Sohrab is the local don of Folmandi market and he has excellent rapport with almost all political parties in Bengal. His accumulated white and black cash will come extremely handy in the pre election set up for the TMC party. Ordinary people believe, as it's a case within the periphery of Indian Air Office, there is indeed a slim chance of hope as far as justice for Abhimanyu Gaud's family is concerned. Otherwise who knows, just like Salman Khan's police bodyguard Ravindra Patil, eye witnesses can be managed or threatened to change their statements.
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