Former Northern Army Commander’s car damaged by ‘rashly driven’ Punjab Police ‘VIP’ escorts

“At 4 pm driving with my wife on the Zirakpur flyover, two Punjab Police jeeps escorting a VIP towards Ambala come from behind with sirens blaring. (I) slowed the vehicle to let the first vehicle pass, the VIP vehicle perhaps took three additional seconds to pass because there was heavy traffic. Angered, the rear escort jeep, while overtaking from the left, deliberately cut sharply right, hitting the front of my car and then sped off. It was clearly a deliberate act, not only damaging the car, but with no concern of our personal safety on a very crowded road,” he said.

The former commander went on to add that the “arrogance and impunity “of someone who is supposed to be a guardian of law soils the uniform and reputation of the organisation. Lt Gen Hooda tagged Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav in his post.

When contacted by The Indian Express and asked if he wished to file an official complaint with the Punjab Police, Lt Gen Hooda said he did not want to get into the rigmarole of official complaints and that he put out the incident on X because he was disturbed by the arrogance of the police personnel driving the escort vehicle.

Reacting to the post, DGP Yadav said this kind of high handedness by police personnel is unacceptable and that he will find out who were the personnel involved and take action”.

“We deeply regret the distress and concern caused to you and your wife due to this unfortunate incident. Such behaviour, if established, is completely unacceptable and contrary to the values of professionalism and public service that Punjab Police stands for. I have personally discussed the matter with Spl. DGP Traffic AS Rai, and directions have been issued to identify the vehicles and personnel involved. Please be assured that the matter is being taken seriously and appropriate action will be initiated to ensure accountability,” the DGP said on X.

Special DGP Traffic, AS Rai, has spoken to Lt Gen Hooda and assured that CCTV footage will be used to identify the escort vehicles.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen Hooda’s post evoked sharp response on X from retired defence officers who reacted with alarm and concern for his and his wife’s safety.

“Must have been terrible and scary, Sir! Hope you and Mrs Hooda are well,” Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma (retd), former Adjutant General, wrote.

Rear Admiral M D Suresh (retd) wrote, “Very sorry to hear of this incident sir and glad both of you are safe. ‘VIP’ designation is itself misplaced — they are elected representatives of the citizens and nothing more, nothing less. The accompanying policemen are basking in reflected glory. Treating elected representatives, whoever they are, as ‘someone special’ needs to end for which citizens have to ‘grow up’ first”.

High speed Punjab Police escort vehicles are a common sight on the roads of Punjab. These vehicles, with their sirens blaring, make short work of red lights and heavy traffic, forcing their way through traffic with the police personnel sitting in them waiving other vehicles away.