Sumo driver booked under Sec 307 IPC for bumping into CM’s car
SHILLONG: The driver of the tourist sumo which was involved in an accident with the official vehicle of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma was booked under Section 307 IPC (attempt to murder) and forwarded to three days’ police custody on Friday.
East Khasi Hills district police chief M. Kharkrang confirmed that the accused Jeskalur L Mawdoh (25) has been booked under Section 307 of IPC which is attempt to murder.
The chief minister had a narrow escape when his official car, driven by P. Lyngdoh, was hit by the tourist sumo on Thursday at 3rd Mile, Upper Shillong, at around 1.30 PM.
The incident took place when the chief minister’s vehicle was on its way to the helipad at Upper Shillong with Sangma in the passenger’s seat.
No one was injured, but the vehicle of the chief minister was partially damaged.
While the tourist sumo was detained at Lumdiengjri police station, the chief minister’s vehicle was released later.
As per the FIR filed by Smith Mawphniang, inspector in charge, ring- round chief minister’s security, the traffic police personnel and the pilot car had asked the driver of the vehicle to stop, following which he stopped the vehicle initially, but he again drove towards the chief minister’s vehicle and hit the vehicle on the side where the chief minister was seated.
The FIR also said that since it was a breach of VIP security hence a suo moto case under Section 307 IPC has been filed against the errant driver. Police said due investigation would be conducted to establish if there was malafide intent on the part of the driver since he drove the vehicle despite being told to stop.
The legal counsel for the accused driver, however, felt that slapping of Section 307 IPC on his client instead of Section 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act was unwarranted.
The counsel said that as per the report of the Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) released on Friday it was a case of rash and negligent driving, but the police did not include sections under the Motor Vehicles Act, but chose to include Section 307 IPC.
He, however, hoped that the court would give a fair trial after going through the remand report when he moves for bail on Monday.
