In a concerning incident highlighting road safety violations, the Bandra police in Mumbai apprehended two women in separate alleged drunk driving cases in the early hours of Saturday. The incidents occurred at Lucky Junction in Bandra (West), where both drivers were reportedly unable to control their vehicles, moving erratically on the road.
First Case: Driver Attempts to Conceal Identity
The first incident was reported around 2:30 am when traffic police constable Nagesh Kadam, who was conducting routine checks, stopped a car being driven without control. The driver was identified as Palak Vij, aged 37, a resident originally from Chandigarh. According to the police, Vij was returning home after attending a party.
During the inquiry, the situation took a suspicious turn. "Vij lied to Kadam when he asked her name. She gave her name as Pallavi Kapahi," stated a Bandra police officer. Sensing something was amiss, the officials called a woman police officer to the spot. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that her real name was Palak Vij and not Pallavi Kapahi. She had initially claimed to be a resident of Wadala.
Legal Repercussions for the First Offender
Palak Vij faced serious legal consequences for her actions. She was booked under multiple sections of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act. The charges against her include:
- BNS Section 125: Endangering life or personal safety of others.
- BNS Section 239: Intentional omission to give information of an offence by a person bound to inform.
- BNS Section 281: Rash driving or riding on a public way.
- Relevant sections of the Motor Vehicle Act for drunk and dangerous driving.
Second Incident Within the Hour
Merely about an hour later, at the same Lucky Junction location, constable Kadam stopped another woman driver showing similar signs of impairment. This driver was identified as Krushna Batra, aged 33, who hails from Nagpur. She was also behind the wheel after partying.
The breathalyzer test confirmed she was driving under the influence of alcohol. "The breathalyzer showed she was drunk. She was driving in an inebriated state and she was not in control of the car she drove," the constable noted in the First Information Report (FIR).
Police Vigilance and Public Safety Message
These back-to-back incidents underscore the continued efforts of the Mumbai traffic police in conducting drunk drive checks, especially during late-night hours. The police have reiterated the dangers of driving under the influence, which not only risks the life of the driver but also endangers other innocent road users.
The use of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections indicates a stringent legal approach towards such offences. The incidents serve as a stark reminder for the public to avoid driving after consuming alcohol and to use designated drivers or cab services to ensure everyone's safety on Mumbai's roads.
