Intoxicated Police Officer Causes Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Madhya Pradesh: A Pattern of Impunity

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Manoj Yadav and victim Dashrath

A tranquil Friday evening transformed into a scene of devastation on the Neemuch-Jawad Road in Madhya Pradesh when an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) allegedly drove while intoxicated and crashed into several motorcycles.

The devastating collision, which happened near Bharbhadia village in Neemuch, claimed the life of a teacher instantly and left his wife and two young children with critical injuries.

Witnesses report that the officer, Manoj Yadav, was visibly intoxicated to the point of instability. "He stumbled out of the vehicle reeking of alcohol, while injured victims were bleeding on the roadside," one witness stated. Authorities subsequently discovered a liquor bottle and an empty glass inside the ASI's vehicle.

The deceased, 42-year-old Dashrath, who taught at Gyanodya ITI College, was returning home with his family after purchasing vegetables when the accident occurred. His 35-year-old wife Lalita Bai, 10-year-old son Harshit, and 6-year-old daughter Jaya all suffered serious injuries. Another individual, 44-year-old Bhopal from Athana, was also injured in the incident.

Community members rushed the injured parties to the district hospital, where medical professionals pronounced Dashrath dead upon arrival. His wife and children, in critical condition, were subsequently transferred to a specialized medical facility. Angered residents gathered at the accident site, blocking traffic and demanding the officer's immediate arrest. Senior police officials arrived to address the protesters.

In response to public outrage, the Neemuch Superintendent of Police suspended ASI Yadav and initiated a departmental investigation. Authorities have filed a formal FIR against him for rash driving and causing death by negligence.

This Neemuch tragedy contributes to an emerging pattern of police and paramilitary personnel throughout Madhya Pradesh abusing their positions with dangerous impunity.

Earlier the same week, Bhopal and Indore witnessed two separate but similar incidents revealing the same institutional problems.

On Monday evening, an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officer identified as Deepak, also known as Rajendra Singh, allegedly intoxicated, drove his car into four pedestrians near Bhopal Railway Station before bystanders restrained him. Just hours afterward, in Indore's Raoji Bazaar, three reportedly uniformed and intoxicated police officers struck two women outside a pharmacy before fleeing the scene, injuring several additional people during their escape attempt.