A sub-inspector posted with the Noida police, who had been working for 30 hours at a stretch, met with an accident while returning from a local court as he dozed off while riding his motorcycle.

The incident highlights the plight of police personnel in Noida, who are forced to work extra time as the department struggles with staff shortage.

S-I Pawan Malik is posted as chowki-in-charge of Noida roundabout and he was returning from the local court located in Phase II. Fortunately, he was not riding at a high speed. “His motorcycle jumped the divider as he dozed off while riding the motorcycle,” said Jaikaran Singh, SSI, Sector-20.

Malik has sustained head and leg injuries.

According to Malik, he had done his 30 hours of duty and had gone to court for a case. He said he could not get any rest as he was the only in-charge present at the police post. “In the wake of inadequate police force, a few of the officers had to work for a few extra hours. We cannot let the district remain unguarded by the police,” said a senior police officer of Gautam Budh Nagar.

“Before the accident, I talked on my mobile to a relative and I was feeling dizzy. I did not know that I will doze off like this while riding. Fortunately, no one else was hurt,” Malik said.