Drunken driving: cops want camcorders to lock evidence

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Nandkumar Chaugule said,“It is true we have already started asking our constables to photograph drivers arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol so that the accused do not send proxies to court the next day. Besides,we also wish to acquire digital camcorders so that tests conducted on them can be recorded as evidence so that any allegations of misconduct against the officers can be avoided.”

Another traffic police officer said on the condition of anonymity,“There have been recent cases where persons arrested for drunken driving approached the courts claiming the tests were not effectively conducted on them and that they were innocent. Such incidents are sought to be avoided by recording the proceedings.”

Earlier this year,one Nikhil Kisnani,a businessman from Wadala,had approached the Mumbai High Court alleging that the traffic police had not followed certain procedures while arresting him for drunken driving.

Over a week back,a man accused of drunken driving had sent a proxy to court and four-day simple imprisonment was ordered in the case. The proxy had a heart attack in Thane Jail and died.

After the incident,the traffic police decided to click photographs of people who test positive for drunken driving. The photos are sent to the court,along with the charges the following day.