Inebriated driver rams car into group of Kanwariyas in Gzb, thrashed by pilgrims

GHAZIABAD: A drunk driver rammed his speeding car into a group of Kanwariyas on Tuesday night in Modinagar town, leaving three injured, following which the enraged pilgrims damaged his vehicle and assaulted him, police said.

The incident occurred around 10:30 pm near Raj Choupala when a group of Kanwariyas, returning to Mewat in Rajasthan after collecting holy Ganga water from Haridwar, were hit by the car, the police said on Wednesday.

The collision resulted in injuries to pilgrims Harkesh, Om, and Anuj, and damage to their Kanwars (sacred structures carried by the devotees), a police official said.

Infuriated by the accident, the pilgrims vandalised the car and assaulted the driver, later identified as Rajiv Sharma.

Upon receiving the information, police arrived at the scene, pacified the pilgrims and took the injured driver into custody.

He was taken to a private hospital for treatment, and the vehicle was seized, the official said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Modinagar) Gyan Prakash Rai said a medical examination confirmed that the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

The pilgrims, however, did not file any complaint regarding the damaged Kanwars and proceeded on their journey, he added.