Hooliganism by taxi drivers goes unabated in Shimla

A bank employee murdered recently; body thrown on railway track

Verification soon: SP

— Shimla SP Mohit Chawla said that this is not the first case of taxi drivers indulging in crime.

— Mandatory verification of bus operators, taxi operators and operational drivers would be done.

— Those with criminal background would not be allowed to ferry commuters.

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Serious

Shimla, February 7

In a shocking incident, a bank employee was allegedly murdered by taxi drivers in the state capital Shimla and thrown on the railway track below taxi stand near old bus stand. The railway police has registered a case of murder and arrested two accused in connection of the case while the third is still at large.

On the night of February 2, Tek Chand (deceased), working in HDFC bank, along with his friend went to a taxi stand to hire a taxi but had a clash with the taxi drivers who were overcharging. The scuffle turned ugly as other taxi drivers also joined. After brutally beating up the victim, they threw him on railway track.

The body was recovered by the railway police who initiated the proceedings under section 174 Cr.PC and handed over the body to the family members after postmortem. However, the family members were not convinced with the suicide theory and raised an alarm following which footage of CCTV was scanned.

The footage confirmed clash between the deceased and the taxi drivers. A case of murder under section 302 and 34 A of IPC was registered by the railway police. In the meantime, the scared eyewitness accompanying the deceased also narrated the incident to the police.

The police today arrested Kiran Kumar, alias Polard (the main accused), and Anil Kumar, alias Neelu, while the third Ram Swaroop, alias Sonu, was still absconding. Stating this, in charge railway police, Shimla Ram Singh added that a manhunt has been launched to nab the third accused.

Shimla SP Mohit Chawla said that this is not the first case of taxi drivers indulging in crime. Mandatory verification of bus operators, taxi operators and operational drivers would be done and people with criminal background would not be allowed to ferry commuters.

Earlier also, taxi drivers were involved in criminal activities. A policeman was attacked and locals were thrashed by them and cases were registered.

On many occasions, people have complained about the rowdy behavior of taxi operators during late evening and night hours near old bus stand.

Increasing hooliganism by taxi operators and drivers has become a cause of concern as Shimla is a tourist place. How safety of tourists can be guaranteed if the residents feel unsafe in the city commented a local, living in the vicinity of old bus stand, seeking anonymity.