In a deeply disturbing road rage incident in Jammu’s Gandhi Nagar area, a 20-year-old engineering student driving a Mahindra Thar (JK02DP9594) deliberately ran over a 68-year-old businessman, Kamal Dutt, not once but twice—sparking widespread public outrage and calls for stricter road safety regulations. Captured on CCTV, the heinous act has gone viral, prompting authorities to upgrade the charges from negligent driving to an attempt to murder.

CCTV Footage Exposes Shocking Intent

The incident occurred near Green Belt Park on a Sunday afternoon. CCTV footage shows Manan Anand of Nanak Nagar, Jammu, aggressively driving a Thar and initially hitting the scooty ridden by Kamal Dutt. Instead of stopping or offering help, the young driver reversed his SUV and ran over the elderly man again, this time deliberately. Passersby, visibly shocked, failed to intervene as the injured man lay on the road.

Victim in Critical Condition

Kamal Dutt, a respected spare parts shop owner from Gandhi Nagar, suffered critical injuries including severe head trauma. He was immediately rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, by his son and family members. According to them, Kamal has not regained full consciousness and is unable to recognize his loved ones. Doctors have declared his condition as critical.

Public Demands Swift Justice

The brutality of the attack has enraged the public, particularly on social media platforms. Outspoken users are demanding exemplary punishment for the accused. Some are calling for his photograph to be made public and his whereabouts to be circulated, while others are questioning the laxity in India’s driving license system.

Here are a few reactions:

• @TheJassSpeaks: “In India, driving licences are often issued too easily. We need stricter driving tests and enforcement.”
• @DeepikaBhardwaj: “Such beasts should not be on roads but only in jails. Hope you’ll arrest him soon.”
• @SinghPramod2784: “It wasn’t just a collision. This was a clear attempt to murder. Glad Section 109 has been invoked.”

Police Take Swift Action

Jammu police have acted promptly after reviewing the damning video evidence. Initially, the accused was booked under Section 281 (rash driving) and Section 125(a) (endangering human life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, upon further examination of the CCTV footage, police added Section 109 – Attempt to Murder, to the list of charges.

Following the Thar-scooty collision near Green Belt Park,Gandhi Nagar on 27.07.2025, Police have invoked Sec 109 BNS after eyewitnesses revealed deliberate intent to harm. The Thar was seized,its owner detained & hunt is on to nab the absconding driver. Investigation continues.

— District Police Jammu (@Dis_Pol_Jammu) July 28, 2025

Father Detained, Vehicle Seized, Manhunt Launched

Police have detained the accused’s father, Rajinder Anand, a resident of Nanak Nagar. Meanwhile, Manan Anand, the accused, is still absconding. Authorities have seized the offending Thar vehicle and launched a full-scale manhunt across Jammu and adjoining areas.

Profile of the Accused

The accused is reportedly an engineering student studying outside Jammu & Kashmir. His sudden display of unchecked aggression has brought attention to the growing menace of entitled youth misusing high-powered vehicles.

Rising Concerns Around Road Safety in India

This shocking case is not isolated. It reflects a troubling trend of young individuals, often from privileged backgrounds, abusing their power on roads. The incident has reignited debates around the need for stringent licensing procedures, mandatory psychological evaluations, and real-time surveillance in urban zones.

Legal Experts Weigh In

Legal experts believe that the inclusion of attempt to murder charges is justified based on the intent and behavior shown in the footage. The deliberate action of reversing the SUV to crush the victim indicates malice aforethought—a crucial element in proving such a charge.

Social Media’s Role in Seeking Justice

The video has been circulated widely across Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp groups, prompting netizens to demand justice. Some users allege that the accused and his peers are part of a local group trying to portray a gangster-like image, flaunting multiple vehicles and creating chaos on roads.

Read also: Jammu & Kashmir Sees Sharp Spike in Road Accidents and Deaths

Systemic Issues Raised

Many activists are pointing fingers at systemic failures—ranging from easy access to luxury vehicles, ineffective monitoring, lack of fear of legal consequences, and delayed justice mechanisms. The accused’s apparent ability to flee after such a grave crime has only deepened public frustration.

Call to Action for Authorities

This case must serve as a wake-up call for local authorities to enforce:

• CCTV surveillance across critical urban zones
• Stricter driving license issuance protocols
• Mandatory driving behavior tests for young license holders
• Immediate suspension of vehicle registration for those involved in violent road incidents

Public Pressure Mounts

From respected journalists to common citizens, pressure is mounting on the Jammu Police to arrest the accused and ensure justice for Kamal Dutt. There’s also a push for identifying whether the accused has committed similar offenses in the past.

The Gandhi Nagar road rage incident is not just about a hit-and-run. It’s a mirror to our decaying civic sense, weak enforcement of road laws, and rising lawlessness among certain youth segments. Authorities must treat this as a benchmark case—one that can restore public confidence by demonstrating that no one is above the law.

Let this tragic event become a catalyst for meaningful reform in road safety and criminal accountability in India.