TMC leader's son runs over Air Force officer at R-Day drill in Kolkata
Kolkata: An on-duty Indian Air Force jawan was killed on Wednesday morning after a speeding SUV, allegedly driven by a Trinamool Congress leader's son, ran over him on Red Road in front of Fort William early on Wednesday. The victim, Abhimanyu Gaud (21) was posted as a corporal at the IAF Kalaikunda base. He was brought to Kolkata as a drill instructor to supervise the parade practice for the Republic Day celebrations.
The accident took place at around 6.30 am when Ambia Sohrab's white Audi cruising down from the Vidyasagar Setu broke three barricades and took Red Road where the practice for the parade was underway. It took a turn through a cut out of the road divider near J K Island before hitting the IAF jawan standing close to the boundary of Brigade Parade Ground.
The driver has been identified as 26-year-old Ambia Sohrab, son of former RJD MLA Mohammed Sohrab, now a TMC leader. Ambia, along with other family members is absconding. A police team raided their residence at M M Burman Street in Jorasanko of central Kolkata but could not trace anyone.
Read: Air Force officer killed in Kolkata, number plate of speeding SUV missing
Wing Commander SS Birdi, the chief public relation officer of the Eastern Command said, "An Audi car appeared on the road at high speed. The road is normally closed for civilian traffic when the practice is on. The car raced towards Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud, the AF drill instructor supervising the parade, knocked him off his feet and continued at high speed till it hit a barricade and came to a stop. The driver left the car and ran away.”
“The airman sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the military hospital where the doctors have declared him dead. The car is in police custody but the driver is absconding. Further investigation by the civil police is underway," he added.
Police commissioner Surajit Kar Purkayastha along with other officers visited the spot. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited the hospital and spoke to the IAF officers. Venting her anger she said, "It was a very unfortunate incident. I have ordered the police to initiate a case on murder charge. How can such a man get a licence?"
A case on murder charge was initiated at the Maidan police station following a complaint by the IAF. Sources revealed that the car was bought on January 4 this year.
