Police driver’s license revoked for attempted murder

The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) is preparing to take action by cancelling the driving licence of a police driver accused of attempting to murder a petrol pump employee in Kannur.

Kannur police ASI driver, 50, K. Santosh Kumar allegedly tried to kill the petrol pump employee by hitting him with his car and driving away for a distance while the employee clung to the hood of his vehicle.

The alleged incident took place at an NKBT petrol station in Talap on Sunday. Kumar, a driver attached to the district headquarters of Kannur City Police, filled his car with petrol worth Rs 2,100 but reportedly paid only Rs 1,900. When Anil, the petrol station employee, demanded the remaining Rs 200, Kumar reportedly tried to flee without paying.

Mr. Anil tried to stop the car, and Kumar drove off while Mr. Anil clung to the bonnet. Kumar stopped the car only after driving for some time at a nearby police station while motorists chased after him and tried to stop the vehicle. Mr. Anil said that despite his pleas to stop the vehicle, the policeman continued to drive recklessly.

Kumar had previously been involved in an incident in which he drove a police vehicle into a petrol station, causing damage.

Speak with The Hindu CU Mujib, Kannur RTO (Enforcement), confirmed that the MVD will take action once it receives the police FIR. “In such cases, the driver’s license is generally suspended for at least two years. Since the police have taken necessary steps, on receipt of the FIR and the report of the motor vehicle inspector, action will be taken against the driver, which includes suspension of the license for at least two years,” Mr Mujib said.

Meanwhile, Kumar was remanded in custody for 14 days. He was produced before the Kannur First Class Magistrate Court where the magistrate remanded him in custody. He was again suspended from service.

Kannur city police have stated that his actions will be thoroughly investigated, taking into account his previous offences and the alleged assault on Mr Anil.