A tragic incident unfolded in Patna in the early hours of Thursday when a high-speed black Scorpio SUV crashed into police vehicle-checking barricade on Atal Path, leaving one woman constable dead and two officers injured. The crash near the Srikrishna Puri area has raised major questions over road safety and law enforcement protection in the state capital.

The deceased officer has been identified as Komal Kumari, a 22-year-old constable originally from Nalanda district. Her family revealed that she had only recently been transferred to the Srikrishna Puri police station less than a month ago from Gaurichak. Following the incident, Komal was rushed to a hospital along with sub-inspector Deepak Kumar and assistant sub-inspector Awadhesh Kumar. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries while the other two officers are undergoing treatment and are said to be in stable condition.

The crash occurred around 12:30 am during a citywide vehicle inspection operation initiated by Patna police under the instructions of DGP Vinay Kumar. Surveillance footage revealed that while police were inspecting one Scorpio SUV driven by a man named Prince Kumar from Jehanabad, another SUV also a Scorpio approached at high speed and slammed into the officers from behind.

How the Incident Took Place?

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Awkash Kumar, “Three security personnel posted with Srikrishna Puri police station were checking vehicles on the Atal Path, when the incident happened. While they were checking a car, another speeding car hit it from the rear end, resulting in injuries to the three personnel. The driver of the speeding car managed to flee immediately after the accident.”

Further investigations identified the fleeing driver as Nikhil, son of a land revenue official. He had a prior record of traffic violations, including being fined for over-speeding. Nikhil was apprehended later, while the two other passengers in the SUV were taken into custody immediately after the crash.

“The driver of the Scorpio intentionally hit the on-duty policemen so FIR would be lodged under sections of murder and other charges of BNS act,” SSP Awkash Kumar told Hindustan Times, adding that the vehicle involved has been seized and forensic analysis is underway. The reasons behind the high speed and intent are still being looked into, including whether the occupants were under any influence or involved in other criminal activities.

SUV had BJP Flag on it

A video clip circulating online shows the exact moment of the collision, highlighting the sheer force of impact as the officers were flung several feet into the air. It also confirms that the SUV had a BJP flag on it, although police have not yet verified any political connections between the vehicle’s owner and its occupants.

The political fallout was swift. RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari condemned the breakdown of law enforcement mechanisms in Bihar. “While the police were conducting vehicle checks in Patna, a car ran over the officers. A woman police personnel has died. What is happening in Patna? The driver is still absconding. It’s like a reign of crime has taken over. Even uniformed police officers are no longer safe. This is the state of affairs in Bihar,” he said.

Purnia MP Pappu Yadav went further, placing blame not just on the system but the public itself. “Society itself does not want crime to end. When the public votes for criminals during elections, then crime is bound to happen… So not just the government, we hold the public equally responsible for the law and order situation,” he said.

This disturbing event has intensified public concern and political scrutiny over Bihar’s law and order situation. As investigations progress and legal proceedings unfold, questions loom about how a routine patrol operation ended in such a senseless loss of life.