DEHRADUN: An assistant block development officer (ABDO) of Kotabagh in the Nainital district was apprehended by local police for allegedly mowing down three girls in his car on Monday evening. The victims — two sisters and their friend—were taken to the nearest hospital, where one of them succumbed to her injuries, while two others are said to be critical.
Police said ABDO, Bhupendra Singh, was in an “inebriated” condition. SHO of Kaladhungi, sub-inspector Pankaj Joshi, under whose jurisdiction the incident happened, said sisters Mahi Singh, 14, and Kanak Singh, 17, and friend Mamta Singh, 15, were returning home from a local fair around 6pm when they were crushed under the wheels of the speeding vehicle on the way to Haldwani. The SHO further said that Mahi later died at the hospital.
Joshi added: “They belong to Nathunagar village in Kotabagh. The officer tried to drive away after the incident only to crash into a hill adjacent to the road a few metres away. He couldn’t get out and was apprehended. He was found to be under the influence of alcohol in medical examination as per the legal provisions.”
A case was yet to be registered against the officer till Tuesday evening. Police said that they were waiting for the family of the deceased girl to file a complaint. “It will be done after her cremation. Till then, he would be kept in the lock-up,” said Joshi.
