Neemuch hit-and-run case: Are police scuttling probe?

The Neemuch hit-and-run incident that claimed two lives has led to questions being raised on the police’s motives as accused Vipul Ajmera, 30, roams free on the pretext of undergoing medical treatment.

The Neemuch hit-and-run incident that claimed two lives has led to questions being raised on the police’s motives as accused Vipul Ajmera, 30, roams free on the pretext of undergoing medical treatment.

Ajmera ran over and killed a labourer couple and injured three of their children, who were sleeping on pavement at the time, in an accident on May 17.

A case was registered in this regard at the Badhana police station under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

However, 28 days on, Ajmera remains out of prison in the name of receiving medical treatment.

While the accused roams free, several contradictions are appearing in the statements of officials handling the case.

When HT contacted Badhana police station, in-charge SL Patidar said the accused was still in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, and undergoing physiotherapy.

“Police will take action against him once he comes back,” he said.

However, investigation officer sub-inspector KL Daima said Ajmera was in fact in Udaipur.

“Soon I’ll be visiting Udaipur (Rajasthan) to ascertain his condition and will take action against him on the basis of his current situation,” Daima said.

Also, while Daima claimed that Ajmera’s medical report said he was not in an inebriant state at the time of incident, Dr Hitendra Singh Sisodiya, who was on-duty at Neemuch district hospital when the accused was brought in, said, “On Sunday night (May 17), Ajmera was under the influence of alcohol.”

“He was not able to speak properly. We have already submitted his medical report to the police,” Dr Sisodiya further said.

With apparent disconnect between authorities and contradictory statements from officers in-charge, questions are being raised on the investigation and whether the police are trying to protect the accused.

When contacted, Neemuch superintendent of police Tarun Naik, who recently assumed charge, said he will look into the matter.

“(I) will (look at the) case diary to know the exact status of the case and order respective police in-charge and investigation officer to act immediately as per the law,” he said.