Jammu road rage victim suffers serious injuries; hunt launched to nab accused

An elderly man injured in a shocking road rage incident in Jammu city on Sunday has suffered multiple serious injuries and remains unconscious in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while police have launched a manhunt for the accused driver.

The victim, identified as Kamal Dutta, a man in his sixties, was riding a two-wheeler when he was hit by a Mahindra Thar SUV, allegedly driven by Manan Anand (21), an engineering student at a local college. Eyewitnesses say that after hitting Dutta, Anand reversed the vehicle and ran him over a second time as he attempted to stand.

Doctors at the Government Medical College, Jammu, where Dutta is being treated, confirmed that he has suffered severe trauma to the head and neck. “He is in the ICU, unconscious but showing slight improvement. He is on oxygen support and is being closely monitored,” said a senior doctor.

The incident occurred in the Gandhi Nagar area of the city, but despite the gravity of the act and widespread public outrage, the accused remains untraceable as of Tuesday evening.

Police have detained the accused’s father, Rajinder Anand, who owns the SUV involved in the incident. The family is being questioned, and authorities are following technical leads, including phone and surveillance data, to track Manan’s location.

Speaking to reporters, Superintendent of Police (South) Ajay Sharma said an FIR was registered promptly after the incident, and CCTV footage from the area is being examined. “The driver appeared to be acting aggressively, but whether he was under the influence of drugs is under investigation. There is no indication of personal enmity; it appears to be a case of pure road rage,” Sharma said.

Initially, police registered the case under Sections 281 (negligent driving) and 125(a) (endangering human life or safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, after CCTV footage of the attack went viral nationwide, the charges were upgraded to include Section 109 (attempt to murder).

The Thar vehicle has been seized, and a mechanical examination will be conducted as part of the investigation.