Audi driver yet to be traced

Tribune News Service

Aparna Banerji

Jalandhar, February 1

Two days after an Audi car hit an e-rickshaw on the Jalandhar-Amritsar highway leading to the death of four persons, the police are yet to arrest the car driver. The suspect has been identified as Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Chandigarh.

The case

A speeding Audi car hit an e-rickshaw near the Vidhipur Crossing on the Jalandhar-Amritsar highway around 9 pm on Tuesday.

Two persons died on the spot, while two others succumbed to their injuries during treatment. The lone survivor, Govinda, is presently admitted to the Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, where his condition is stated to be serious.

In the past two days, the Jalandhar police have carried out raids in Chandigarh, Batala, Kalanaur and Gurdaspur among other areas to trace the car driver. A search was also made at the houses of his relatives and kin, the police said.

Sikander Singh, SHO of the Maqsudan police station, said: “Intensive raids are being carried out in various districts in search of the car driver, who originally hails from Batala. Search is being conducted across various districts. We hope to nab him soon.”

Notably, a speeding Audi car hit an e-rickshaw near the Vidhipur Crossing on the Jalandhar-Amritsar highway around 9 pm on Tuesday. Two persons died on the spot, while two others died during treatment. The lone survivor, Govinda, is presently admitted to the Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, where his condition is stated to be serious.

The deceased have been identified as Jagdish Chander, Paramjit Singh Pamma, Harpreet Happy and Pankaj. A case was registered at the Maqsudan police station.

The kin of the deceased held a dharna outside the Maqsudan police station on Wednesday, demanding the arrest of the suspect. They also blocked the highway during the protest.

Lone survivor undergoes head scan Govinda, the lone survivor, was attended to properly on Wednesday after The Tribune highlighted his condition during a visit to the hospital. His family was also traced and informed about the incident. Govinda’s condition, however, still remains critical. Govinda, a sofa-maker, was living with his father in Jalandhar and was hitching a ride back to the city after work when the accident took place. He is the only brother of two sisters.

From bed number 33 in the ward, Govinda was shifted to bed number 41 today. After this correspondent highlighted his plight, he also underwent a head scan last evening. Today, he was in the MLC ward wrapped in blankets and surrounded by family.

Govinda’s sister Sapna (30) came to the Civil Hospital last evening after being informed about his condition. His second sister Lalita, who is married in Kartarpur, also arrived here last evening.

Speaking to Jalandhar Tribune, Sapna said: “I didn’t know until last evening that my brother had met with an accident. Our mother died recently and father is indisposed. Govinda and I are the only earning members of the family. After seeing his scan report, doctors said he was out of danger. However, his speech and conversation are not normal and he sleeps all day. His health is bad. I’m a make-up artist in Chandigarh. We don’t have money. If possible, we will like to admit him to a private hospital. I appeal to the government to do something about this. The culprit should be punished.”

Govinda’s sister Lalita said a stranger informed her about the accident around 2 am on the fateful day. She, along with her husband, went to the Kartarpur police station looking for him, but couldn’t find him. They went to the accident site where they were told that he was admitted to the Civil Hospital. They came to meet him that day and went home late. They visited him again last evening.

DC Sarangal takes stock of facilities at hospital

Jalandhar: Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Sarangal on Thursday said as per the directions issued by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Civil Surgeon, SMOs and Medical Superintendent would ensure that no patient had to take medicine from outside the government hospital as the district administration had already ensured sufficient supply of all essential medicines to all government hospitals to be provided free-of-cost to patients. The Deputy Commissioner visited the Civil Hospital to ensure proper implementation of these directions wherein he took stock of the healthcare facilities being provided to patients here. The DC reviewed the stock of medicines and took feedback from visitors at the hospital. He also listened to the problems being faced by patients and directed health officials to resolve them immediately. TNS

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