A Gurugram resident and Mahindra Thar owner has served a legal notice on Haryana DGP OP Singh, seeking a public apology for remarks allegedly branding Thar and Bullet motorcycle owners as having a “criminal mindset”.

The statement, made by the DGP during a November 8 press conference in Gurugram while speaking on road safety and traffic violations, drew widespread criticism. Enthusiasts and vehicle owners accused him of making a sweeping generalisation after he reportedly said “most Thar and Bullet riders have a criminal mindset”, prompting immediate uproar on social media.

The notice has been issued by Sector 102 resident Sarvo Miter, originally from Dharampur village in Gurugram, through his counsel Vedant Verma. The lawyer stated that Miter had purchased his Thar in January 2023 for over Rs 30 lakh, choosing it for its build quality, safety features and dependable performance.

According to the notice, the DGP’s remarks were made “in a mocking and insulting tone toward all Thar owners including my client, which is clear from the way mediapersons present immediately started laughing.”

The counsel argued that the DGP’s position lends significant weight to his words, amplifying the impact of the comments. The remarks, once recorded and circulated widely across print, electronic and digital media, allegedly caused “extensive reputational damage and public ridicule to the entire class of Thar owners, including my client.”

The notice adds that Miter faced uncomfortable questions from relatives, neighbours and visitors after the comments went viral, leading to “mental stress, loss of dignity and serious damage to his personal and social reputation.” It contends that the remarks have “lowered the image of every ‘Thar owner’ in the eyes of the public, thereby giving rise to a complete cause of action for civil and criminal defamation.”

The DGP has been asked to issue an unconditional written apology and retract his statement within 15 days, failing which legal proceedings will be initiated under Section 356(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other applicable provisions.