Samajwadi Party MLA’s campaign vehicle runs over 12-year-old

SHAHJAHANPUR: The advertising vehicle of Samajwadi Party MLA and state minister

Ram Murti Verma

ran over a 12-year-old boy in Dadraul constituency on Saturday. The boy died on the spot. Verma is contesting the polls from Dadraul where the accident took place. Police have seized the vehicle and arrested the driver, who was caught by the locals. Villagers alleged that driver Shivam Pandey and other people in the vehicle were under the influence. However, the same was not updated in the FIR by police.

The accident occurred at Heerpur village of Kaanth under the jurisdiction of Kaanth police station. The campaign vehicle was coming from Kurriyan village at high speed when it ran over Arun Kumar who was playing with his siblings near the road. The vehicle’s driver immediately tried to abandon the vehicle and flee but he was caught by the villagers. Villagers informed the police and demanded that Verma should come to the village but said no one came.

Station officer of Kaanth police station

Ajeet Kumar

told TOI, “We have seized the vehicle and have taken the driver into custody. An FIR has been registered against him for rash driving. The boy’s body has been sent for post-mortem.”

Verma told TOI, “I sent my son Rajesh to the village to offer condolence on my behalf but he could not meet the victim’s family as they were busy at the mortuary. It was an unfortunate incident which shouldn’t have happened.”

A villager who did not wish to be named claimed, “The drivers of campaign vehicle are often drunk but police ignore the matter. We have all decided not to vote for Ram Murti this time.”

The SP leader refuted the allegation, saying. “We have chosen drivers who do not consume alcohol.”

Arun Kumar was the student of Class IV. His father is yet to be informed about his death.