The tragic SUV-bike collision that claimed the life of 23-year-old Akshat Garg last week on Golf Course Road in Gurugram has sparked outrage, with new details shedding light on the recklessness of the accused, Kuldeep Kumar Thakur. Garg was riding his motorcycle when it was struck by an SUV driven by Thakur, who was recklessly traveling in the wrong direction at high speed. The incident occurred in DLF Phase II, an upscale area of the city.
The accused, Thakur, is a repeat offender with a history of traffic violations. He had previously been fined on August 24 for driving on the wrong side and for wrong side parking. Despite his history of dangerous driving, Thakur has been granted bail after his arrest. He also failed to produce his driving licence at the time of arrest, raising suspicions that he may have been driving without one. Further investigation revealed that on September 17, just days after the accident, Thakur reached out to an acquaintance in an attempt to procure a backdated driving licence. This move has further fueled anger over the case, as it suggests a possible attempt to evade accountability.
The incident was captured on a GoPro camera worn by a friend of the victim, showing the Mahindra 3XO SUV speeding in the wrong direction, ultimately colliding with Garg's motorcycle. The violent impact threw Garg into the air, while his motorcycle was left mangled beyond recognition. Garg was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead upon arrival. The video footage, which also showed a BJP sticker on the SUV’s bonnet, has since circulated widely, intensifying calls for stricter action against Thakur.
In response to the growing public outrage, Senior Police Officer Vikas Kaushik stated that Thakur has not yet provided a valid driving licence, leading authorities to assume he may not have had one. Kaushik has instructed the police to apply more stringent legal sections to the case and has indicated that Thakur could face re-arrest depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation. The case has drawn attention not only to the dangers of reckless driving but also to the gaps in the enforcement of traffic laws in India, where many offenders continue to pose serious risks to public safety despite multiple violations.
As the investigation continues, the tragic death of Akshat Garg has underscored the need for stronger measures to address reckless driving, particularly in areas like Gurugram where rapid urbanization and heavy traffic are common. The failure of the accused to produce his licence and the revelation that he attempted to obtain a backdated one have only deepened concerns about accountability in such cases. For Garg's family and friends, the hope is that justice will be served and that stricter penalties will be enforced to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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