‘Thar, Bullet owners are…’: Haryana DGP viral remark on Gurugram’s vibrant nightlife, club culture

Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh has sparked controversy by describing owners of Thar SUVs and Bullet motorcycles as “rogue elements” while discussing drunk driving and road accidents in Gurugram.

Acknowledging Gurugram’s vibrant nightlife and club culture, Singh emphasized the need for effective measures to curb drunk driving while ensuring public safety.

‘Rogue elements use Thar, Bullet’

“If it’s a Thar, how can we let it go? Or if it’s a Bullet… all rogue elements use these two. The choice of vehicle reflects your mindset,” Singh told reporters in Hindi.

He added that some Thar owners perform stunts on the road. Citing an incident where the son of an assistant commissioner of police ran over someone while driving a Thar, Singh said, “He wants his son freed, but the car is registered in his name, so he is the rogue element”.

Singh also remarked, “If we make a list of cops, how many will have a Thar? And whoever has it, he must be crazy… The Thar is more than a car; it’s a statement. You can’t indulge in hooliganism and then expect not to get caught.”

Bars and restaurants held accountable

The remarks come alongside a new Haryana Police directive holding bars and restaurants accountable if their patrons are caught drunk driving. Issued under Section 168 of the Indian Civil Services Code, the order follows a surge in road accidents involving intoxicated drivers.

In recent months, 345 people have died and over 580 have been injured in such incidents across the state. The directive instructs establishments serving alcohol to monitor customers, provide cabs or designated drivers to intoxicated patrons and prominently display warnings about the risks and legal consequences of drunk driving.