In a tragic incident, a techie from Vijayawada was declared brain-dead, after she met with an accident late on Tuesday night.
The accident occurred as 27-year-old Chinnabattini Mythri Tejaswini was returning home on a two-wheeler after shopping with her brother when a police constable who was allegedly drunk, hit their vehicle from behind near Vijaya Talkies on Eluru Road.
The accused policeman was identified as Srinivas and reportedly works with the City Armed Reserve (CAR) wing under the Vijayawada Commissionerate.
Eyewitnesses later told the police that the constable was driving very rashly, and hit the vehicle as he was trying to overtake it, which resulted in Tejaswini and her brother falling on the road and suffering head injuries.
As she fell unconscious, Tejaswini's brother then rushed her to a government hospital and later Metro Hospital in the city, for better treatment. On Wednesday morning, doctors declared her brain-dead.
Based on a police complaint by Tejaswini's brother, the Suryaraopet police booked a case under Section 338 (Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and took Srinivas into custody.
The police also recorded the statements of family members and suspended Srinivas from duties immediately. According to reports, Tejaswini was working as a software professional in Chennai.
Reports suggest that this was not the first time that Srinivas' drinking habit came to light, as he was suspended earlier in 2015 after he attended his duty in an inebriated state and clashed with his superior officer. He was reinstated recently.
“The accused police constable Srinivas was previously suspended. He has been sent to remand,” city police Commissioner Gautam Sawang was quoted as saying.
The accident took place days after the Vijayawada traffic police caught 53 persons for drunken driving, between 10 am and 1 am, in a single day.
According to reports, the drivers of 49 two-wheelers, one car and two autorickshaws were found to be drunk and their vehicles were impounded.