Gurugram Thar owner slams Haryana DGP over 'crazy' remark, sends legal notice to top cop

Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh has been served a legal notice by a Thar owner from Gurugram after his recent remarks describing Thar owners as “crazy” and prone to mischief.

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Sarvo Miter, a resident of Sector 102, sent the notice through his counsel demanding an unconditional written apology and a formal withdrawal of the comments within 15 days. If the DGP fails to comply, Miter has warned of initiating defamation proceedings.

What the DGP said

During a press conference on November 8, Singh explained why police often stop Mahindra Thar SUVs and Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles for checks. He said these vehicles are frequently associated with reckless behavior.

“If it’s a Thar, how can we let it go? … All rogue elements use these two. The choice of vehicle reflects your mindset,” Singh said, citing past incidents, including a case where an ACP’s son was involved in a fatal accident while driving a Thar. He added that even among police personnel, “whoever owns a Thar must be crazy.”

Singh suggested such remarks were based on rising instances of Thars being used for stunts or involved in accidents.

Owner alleges damage to reputation

Miter, who bought his Thar in January 2023 for over Rs 30 lakh, said he chose the SUV for its safety and reliability. The notice claims Singh’s comments were “mocking, insulting, and baseless,” causing the complainant embarrassment and stress as friends, relatives, and neighbors questioned him after the video went viral.

The notice argues that the DGP’s words carry significant influence and therefore inflicted “grave reputational harm” on Thar owners, including Miter.

Gul Panag backs Thar, Bullet community

Actor and auto enthusiast Gul Panag publicly criticised the generalisation. In an Instagram post, she said that stereotyping vehicle owners does little to improve road safety.

“Thar and Bullet are iconic Indian brands admired for their capability and style. Disparaging them serves no purpose,” she wrote, emphasising that effective law enforcement comes from strong systems, not assumptions about citizens based on the vehicles they drive.