One-man act in cop drama: He is the accused, accuser and eyewitness

AHMEDABAD: Police often file an FIR which has a confrontation between the accused and the complainant — in this case cops can haul in a mirror as a forensic tool because the same man is both the aggrieved party and defendant. The mirror will be handy in spotting the wrongdoer as the man plays a triple role in this police drama: he is the eyewitness as well.
The case involves Gangaram Nayi, 36, of Adipur in Kutch district. On Saturday, while driving his car, a stray dog materialized on the road near Khimana village of Kankrej taluka. He swerved his car to avoid the canine but t e car crashed into a roadside pit, injuring him and two others with him. Cops arrived on the scene and after pondering the circumstances doggedly, they counselled Gangaram to become the complainant and the accused.
Moreover, perhaps because the dog disappeared like a stray bullet, cops asked him to serve as an eyewitness too. Normally, police become complainants in accident cases. But here, an exception has been made.
According to the complaint filed with Shihori police, Gangaram was travelling with his relatives Shantilal Nayi and Chelaram Nayi to attend a condolence meeting.
Cops defend giving one man multiple roles in a case
According to the complaint filed with Shihori police on Saturday, Gangaram was travelling with his relatives Shantilal Nayi and Chelaram Nayi to attend a condolence meeting. One of their relatives had passed away in Vadgam in Banaskantha district.
“Gangaram spotted a pit on the road near Khimana village, which he tried to avoid,” the FIR says. “But at that moment, a stray dog appeared in front of his car and he now tried to dodge the dog. He lost control of his car and it turned turtle.” The three were taken to a government hospital from where Gangaram and Shantilal were moved to Dharpur Hospital in Palanpur town. Shantilal succumbed to his injuries. Gangaram is still under treatment and faces a case of causing death by negligence under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code. Chelaram needed only OPD care.
On the rationale for giving Gangaram multiple parts in the case, a sub-inspector of Shihori police said, “He had driven his car with negligence due to which he suffered injuries and his relative died.” The cop went on to say: “To avoid any issues or confusion, we made Gangaram a complainant because he had witnessed the accident and can give the real account of the events.” The cop added: “Besides, as Gangaram has also been made an accused, the case will be easy to deal with.” When asked why the victims’ kin or cops did not become complainants, the cop said that Gangaram was present on the scene. Further, the cop said, the fact that Gangaram was driving made him fit to play all the vital parts in the case.