Girl killed, two injured as drunk government official runs car over minors in Uttarakhand's Nainital

A government official was apprehended by the police this week after allegedly running his car over three minor girls while under the influence of alcohol—killing one and leaving the others seriously injured. The incident occurred in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand on Monday. The Assistant Block Development Officer of Kotabagh was arrested by officials after attempting to flee the scene.

The victims—two sisters and their friend—were returning home from the Uttarayani fair on Monday evening when they were struck by a speeding vehicle. All three hailed from Nathunagar village in Kotabagh. The trio was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared 14-year-old Mahi Bora dead. Her 17-year-old sister, Kanak Bora, and their 15-year-old friend, Mamta Bhandari, remain hospitalised in a serious condition.

Kotabagh police outpost in-charge Ramesh Chandra Pant stated that the accused, identified as Bhupendra Singh, was apprehended by the police while attempting to flee the scene. A medical examination confirmed that he was intoxicated at the time of the accident.

According to a Times of India report, Singh attempted to flee the scene after hitting the children on Monday evening. However, he crashed into a hill adjacent to the road a few metres away and was unable to exit the car.

Meanwhile, the victims were initially rushed to the Community Health Centre in Kotabagh and later referred to a higher facility, where doctors declared Mahi Bora dead. The survivors are currently undergoing treatment at Sai Hospital in Haldwani.

Officials stated that a case would be registered as soon as the victims' families submitted a formal complaint. Kaladhungi SHO Pankaj Joshi told The Times of India that this would be done after the cremation, with the government official remaining in custody until then.

A similar incident had also been reported from Uttarakhand last year --- with a drunk additional block development officer reportedly mowing down a 36-year-old woman and her two young nieces. The incident took place in June 2024 while they were taking a stroll in Tehri Garhwal district. All three had died in the accident. 

(With inputs from agencies)