Gurgaon horror: Driver of SUV that killed biker doesn't have licence?

GURGAON: The driver of an SUV who crashed into a biker on the wrong side of Golf Course Road leading to his death earlier this week is a repeat offender and had been challaned earlier for similar offences, sources in police said.

Cops also suspect that Kuldeep Kumar Thakur (25), co-founder of a PR firm, doesn't have a licence to drive a four-wheeler. According to sources, he roped in a tout a day after the Sunday morning accident to get a licence done back-date. He is now out on bail, but is yet to submit his DL, if any, to police.

Thakur, sources in police said, had been fined last month for wrong-side driving and illegal parking.

Around 5.25am on Sunday, bikers Akshat Garg and his friend Pradyumn Kumar - both from Delhi - had taken a one-way lane off Golf Course Road when Thakur's XUV 300 appeared from the other side.

The car crashed head on into Akshat's bike, flinging him in the air and hurling him at a distance. Akshat, who was wearing a helmet and other safety gear, was declared dead on arrival at a private hospital.

Thakur, who was on his way from Palwal with a friend, is believed to have told police he deliberately took the wrong side to cut down on his travel time. He had earlier said he was merely following Google Maps and took the one-way route unwittingly.

Akshat's friend Pradyumn has told cops that after the accident, Thakur made a phone call - possibly to a friend - to arrange for a lawyer for him. His car, according to police, had a sticker seeking votes for a BJP candidate in the assembly polls on the bonnet.

Pradyumn had alleged that police had declined to accept as evidence footage recorded in his GoPro, showing the car coming from the wrong side and crashing into the bike. Police have denied the allegation.

Based on a complaint by Pradyumn, an FIR was registered at DLF 2 police station against Thakur under BNS sections 106 (causing death by negligence), 281 (rash driving) and 324(4) (causing damage exceeding Rs 20,000) and provisions of the MV Act.

Thakur has been released on bail. Vikas Kaushik, ACP (DLF), said they were still waiting for Thakur to submit a driving licence, if any.

"He submitted other documents, but claimed he did not have his licence then. So, we gave him time till Friday to submit his licence with us. We believe he doesn't have a four-wheeler licence. We will now include relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act in the FIR and take action accordingly," he added.

Kaushik said police would look into these violations as part of the probe against Thakur. "Now that it has come to the fore, we will dig out all his previous challans and call him for further questioning. We are just waiting for the notice period to end by Friday night," the ACP said.

Akshat's mother, Rekha Garg, questioned police vigil on the roads.

"My son is gone, but the accused slept peacefully at night," she said, referring to Thakur's bail. "I want justice for my son. Why are police dragging their feet in the case? He should be arrested right away," she added.

An ITI graduate, Akshat worked as a food delivery agent to support his elderly parents and younger sister. He would have turned 22 around Diwali this year.