Hit-and-run victim’s family meets DGP, demands stricter charges

CHANDIGARH: Family members of the 75-year-old industrialist killed in a hit-and-run, on Monday, met DGP T S Luthra and demanded that non-bailable sections be added against the accused driver of the SUV (sports utility vehicle).

The DGP assured the family after appropriate sections would be added after taking legal advice.

Subodh Kumar Gupta was killed on August 6 while he was trying to cross the road in Sector 10. The Sector 4 resident was the owner of the

Raja Ram

Corn Products Private Limited. Police arrested Harjasneet Singh Chahal, 27, a resident of Bathinda, who owns an entertainment company, two days later and released him on bail immediately.

The family members have begun an online campaign seeking justice, So far, 3,200 people have signed the petition. The daughters of the victim have alleged the accused was drunk and never tried to contact them even over phone.

However, Chahal denied that he was under the influence of liquor. Chahal said he fled because he got scared that he would be beaten up if people caught him. When asked why he did not try to contact the family since the accident took place, he told TOI that he did not have their address and phone number. Chahal said he was ready to apologise to family and would meet them in a day or two.

Rashi Mohta said her two sisters Reema Agarwal and

Neti Goel

along with lawyer Terminder Singh met the DGP at his office at the police headquarters in Sector 9. Mohta said the DGP had assured them that after taking legal opinion, the police will take action against Chahal.

Gupta's family has demanded that, like in

Varnika

’s case, the driver be re-arrested under the non-bailable charges as CCTV footage clearly shows that the accused hit the industrialist, stopped for a few seconds to see what had happened and then fled in his SUV.