The Mahindra Thar SUV has become a statement of one’s lifestyle these days, Haryana DGP O P Singh said on Saturday while speaking on the increasing number of accidents on Gurgaon roads.
“Thar has become a statement now, it is not just a car anymore. Even the car (Thar) of one of our ACP was involved (in an incident). He had called and said ‘save me from this’…,” he told mediapersons.
Singh was referring to the death of a 43-year-old man after he was allegedly run over by a Thar during an altercation at Sector 12 in Faridabad in September. The car was registered in the name of Faridabad then Additional Commissioner of Police (Sarai) Rajesh Kumar Lohan and his son was among the four arrested in the case.
“I had then asked whose name the car was registered… It was in his name only, so now (he has to face the law)…,” the DGP said.
He added, “Gaadi ki choice… aapka mindset show karta hain (The choice of car shows your mindset). They’ll take Thar and do stunts…”
Speaking on cases of drunken driving, he said police need to acknowledge that nightlife and clubbing are common in a city with a young population, many of whom are single and away from families. “I have always said nightlife is also a way of life. After work, people go to restaurants and clubs, especially in Millennium City and any metropolis that is a centre of investment.”
To prevent accidents, he emphasised coordination with establishments on ensuring that patrons took cabs home or the designated driver in a group is not served alcohol.
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Gurgaon Police Commissioner Vikas Kumar Arora said police have served notices to clubs and restaurants under Section 168 (police powers to prevent commission of cognisable offences) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita. Bouncers and other staff have been directed to ensure that patrons who have been drinking do not drive home and return by cabs.
Singh, imploring police officers to be citizen-friendly in their interactions with alleged violators, stressed that police should never harass people while following the verification process. “If (the violator) has four necessary vehicle documents… need not harass or issue a challan for not having the fifth,” he added.
Thar accidents
September 27: 5 dead
Location: Jharsa Chowk exit, Gurgaon
A speeding Thar lost control while attempting a sharp turn, crashed into a divider, flipped multiple times. Five died on the spot.
September 22: 1 dead
Location: Sector 12, Faridabad
A Thar, registered to then Additional Commissioner of Police Rajesh Kumar Lohan, struck a motorcycle carrying two men, sparking an altercation. The Thar then allegedly chased the bike, performed stunts, and ran over a property dealer in a car being driven alongsie the bike. Four occupants, including the ACP’s son, were arrested.
October 23
Location: New Colony, Gurgaon
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A viral video showed a Thar being driven recklessly, while one occupant urinated from the window. Vehicle was seized and arrests made in the case.
Abhimanyu Hazarika is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Gurgaon. He covers southern Haryana.
Education
- Post-Graduate Diploma in Print Media, Asian College of Journalism (Class of 2020)
- B.A. (Hons) Liberal Arts with a major in Political Science, Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts (Class of 2019)
Professional Experience
Before joining The Indian Express, he worked with Bar & Bench (legal journalism) and Frontline magazine, where he developed experience in court reporting, legal analysis, and long-form investigative features.
Reporting Interests
His work centres on civic accountability, environmental policy, urban infrastructure and culture, crime and law enforcement, and their intersections with politics and governance in and around Gurgaon.
Recent Coverage (2025)
- Crime: Reported on the recovery of 350 kg of explosives and an AK-47 from a rented house in Faridabad, linked to the 2025 Red Fort car explosion case (November 11, 2025).
- Environmental policy: Covered protests outside a Haryana minister’s residence against a Supreme Court order that environmentalists argue could allow mining and real estate development on large parts of the Aravalli hills (December 21, 2025).
- Pollution control measures: Co-authored coverage of the Rekha Gupta government’s enforcement of vehicle restrictions at Delhi-NCR borders (December 21, 2025).
- Road safety and infrastructure: Examined response lapses in the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway hit-and-run case and ongoing investigations into high-speed road crimes in Gurugram.
- Animal welfare policy: Reported on concerns regarding the low budget allocated for stray dog sterilization by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (November 30, 2025).
- Urban culture: Featured the social media-driven popularity of a new Magnolia Bakery outlet in Gurugram (December 15, 2025).
Contact
X (Twitter): @AB_Hazardous ... Read More
