Charged with attempt to murder; police earn praise for prompt action
Jammu, Jul 28: In a shocking incident—first of its kind in the city of temples, an elderly man was critically injured after being hit by a speeding Mahindra Thar, twice—first head-on and later when the Thar driver deliberately reversed his vehicle into the injured laying down on the road–in posh Green Belt area of Gandhi Nagar, triggering massive outrage.
The Jammu police, however, displaying exemplary promptness launched a massive manhunt to nab the accused driver within hours of the incident, earning praises from all quarters of the society, even as the accused has been charged with attempt to murder, besides other sections of the BNS.
The shocking incident which took place on Sunday afternoon was captured on CCTV and has since gone viral. The footage shows the Thar driver operating the vehicle in the wrong lane, leading to a collision with the scooter coming from front, causing the scooterist identified as Kamal Kant Dutta, aged 65, of Gandhi Nagar.
As an injured Dutta struggled to get up, the Thar driver reversed the vehicle bearing registration number JK02DP-9594 at high speed and ran over him the victim second time. Bystanders watched in shock but failed to intervene as the driver exited the vehicle, verbally abused the injured man, and fled the scene.
The injured was immediately rushed to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu in a critical condition, while police filed a FIR vide number 163/2025 under Sections 281 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Gandhi Nagar and a massive manhunt was launched to nab the culprit, who was absconding.
“The CCTV footage and the statement of an eyewitness was recorded, which revealed a more serious aspect of the case,” a police spokesperson said.
“It came to light that after the initial collision, the driver of the Thar reversed the vehicle and deliberately hit the victim again, resulting in grievous injuries. In light of the statement recorded and other material evidences collected, Section 109 of BNS—which deals with case of attempt to murder’ is being invoked,” the spokesperson said.
On Monday, police traced the vehicle and seized it, besides detaining the owner of the vehicle for the questioning.
By evening, the police have arrested the accused driver identified as Manan Anand, of Nanak Nagar.
The victim, Kamal Kant Duttar, however, is currently unconscious and undergoing treatment at GMC Jammu.
Earlier, speaking to media during the day, Superintendent of police SP Jammu South Ajay Sharma emphasized the police’s resolve to bring the culprit to justice:
“This is a heinous act of violence against a defenseless elderly person. The driver of the Thar vehicle, bearing registration number JK02DP 9594, not only endangered a life but also fled the scene, showing complete disregard for the law. We have registered a case of attempt to murder and are employing all available resources, including CCTV analysis and witness statements, to apprehend the accused. The Jammu Police will leave no stone unturned to ensure justice is served.”
Local MLA Bahu Vikram Randhawa also visited GMC Jammu to enquire about the health of the victim.
Expressing concern over an attempted murder case reported in Gandhi Nagar, Randhawa condemned the violent act and urged police to nab the culprit as soon as possible and punish as per law.
