Army truck swerves ‘dangerously close’ to Kolkata Police chief’s car, jawan booked

Tuesday’s incident took place at 10.45 am when Police Commissioner Verma was on his way to Lalbazar police headquarters.

A CCTV clip released by Kolkata Police on X, capturing the sequence of events leading to the moment when traffic officials stopped the truck, showed the Army vehicle making a sudden right turn near the Writers’ Building as Verma’s car swerved to avoid it.

“The Army truck attempted to make a right turn on a road with no right turn allowed, narrowly avoiding a close collision with the police chief’s vehicle,” said a traffic police officer.

An Army jawan traveling in the truck told mediapersons that it was taking a turn at an open signal, and they were unaware of the police commissioner’s convoy behind them.

According to police, the truck was reportedly traveling from Fort William, the Army’s Eastern Command headquarters in Kolkata, to a passport office on Brabourne Road near BBD Bag.

The truck, carrying two jawans, was later escorted to Hare Street police station, and a case was registered against the driver under section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (rash or negligent driving that endangers human life). The punishment under the section includes imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both.

In a post on X, Kolkata Police said: “A lot of misinformation is being circulated from certain quarters regarding action taken by police over an incident of violation of traffic rules. It’s apparently clear from the CCTV footage that the truck in question was being driven in a dangerous manner, violating the traffic lane. The other vehicle narrowly escaped a collision thanks to the alertness of its driver. It’s a case of violation of traffic rules, and legal action is being initiated as per law against the driver of the offending vehicle.”

In the evening, Kolkata Police said the incident was “purely a case of traffic violation” and “not a conflict between the police and the Army”.

Addressing a press conference at Lalbazar headquarters in the evening, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Shrikant Jagannathrao Yeliwad said, “Legal action has been initiated against the person who was driving the vehicle, and not against the Army. Police maintain a close contact with the Military Police to ensure smooth passage for senior Army officers. The incident should not be given a political colour.”

Meanwhile, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, in a post on X, said, “The Army truck, violating the law, was causing accidents by suddenly and dangerously attempting to turn from left to right, hitting the municipal vehicle that was coming from behind. There wasn’t even a right turn there. Those who are making big statements and spreading distorted propaganda about this, remember them.”

On Monday, the Army dismantled a stage of the TMC protest, which had been ongoing since late August against the alleged “humiliation of Bengalis” in BJP-ruled states.

Chief Minister Banerjee, who rushed to the spot, condemned the Army’s actions as “illegal and undemocratic,” stating that the Army should have consulted the police and her party leaders before dismantling the stage. She also accused the Army of acting on the orders of the BJP government at the Centre. The TMC had a permit to protest, according to TMC leader Baiswanar Chattopadhya, who also stated that they had applied to extend the protest until December.

The Army, in an official statement, said the protest’s permission had expired. According to a Supreme Court ruling, it said, permission for events in the Maidan area is only granted for two days, and longer events require Ministry of Defence approval. The Army stated that despite numerous reminders to organisers, the temporary structure was not removed.

Later, the CM announced that the protest would be moved to Rani Rashmoni Avenue, a location under police jurisdiction.