Argument over ₹40 toll fee led to clash between Gurgaon cops and locals in Himachal

The four Gurgaon policemen detained in Himachal Pradesh on Friday for opening fire during a brawl at a toll post got into an altercation with toll staff over the payment of toll fee of ₹40

The four Gurgaon policemen detained in Himachal Pradesh on Friday for opening fire during a brawl at a toll post got into an altercation with toll staff over the payment of toll fee worth Rs 40, police sources said. They were formally booked on Saturday by the Himachal Pradesh police.

After scanning the CCTV footage, the cops learned that the gunshot was fired accidentally by a cop during the brawl between the toll staff and the seven member police team. (HT Representative Image)

After scanning the CCTV footage, the cops learned that the gunshot was fired accidentally by a cop during the brawl between the toll staff and the seven member police team, police sources said.

The incident happened at Punjab-Himachal border in Bilaspur district of Himachal in the wee hours of Friday.

Gurgaon police commissioner Sandeep Khirwar, however, said that they have deputed an ACP rank official to investigate the matter and if any administrative lapse is found, strict action would be taken. He maintained that the probe was only in its initial stages and the department would cooperate with Himachal Pradesh police to ensure the matter is taken to its logical conclusion.

“We are keeping a close watch on the situation and the matter will be probed from all angles,” Khirwar said.

The footage shows a heated argument between the policemen and toll officials.

It is also being said that the Gurgaon police officials who were in plain clothes and driving in an unofficial car had taken out the weapon to prove that they were not imposters. However, the toll staff turned a deaf ear to the pleas of the police officers and it led to fisticuffs during which a gunshot was fired, a city police officer said.

The members of the police team tried to escape from the spot, but the staff and local villagers held them and beat them up. The police team from Palam Vihar crime branch had gone to Himachal to investigate a crime which had happened in Gurgaon but had connections with a few criminals in Himachal Pradesh.

ACP Mohinder Singh and inspector Sajjan Singh of Gurgaon police are in Kot to assist the Himachal police in the case.