Two men, including a clerk employed at the Delhi High Court, were injured by a speeding Delhi police control room van. The vehicle was allegedly trying to avoid a collision with a minor pedestrian crossing a road on Sunday evening. The police said the accident was reported from a spot near the Shiv Mandir located close to Barakhamba Road around 4.15pm. The injured duo was identified as Harish Chand, 28, and Ajit, 48.

“The van was on patrolling duty and, according to witnesses, was being driven at high speed when it suddenly swerved to avoid hitting a pedestrian who simply appeared in its tracks,” said an officer.

According to the police, Harish and Ajit were standing near a makeshift bike parking some metres away and attempted to jump out of its way but failed.

“The van came hurtling towards them after swerving to avoid injuring the pedestrian after he suddenly appeared and the PCR van first hit two motorcycles before ramming into the injured duo,” said the officer. The police rushed both the injured to the adjacent Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital from where both were discharged after being administered minor first aid. The driver of the errant PCR vehicle, later identified as head constable (HC) Mahendra Singh, has been arrested and booked for rash and negligent driving.