Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Punjab Police Issues Show-Cause Notice After Escort Vehicle Hits Lt General's Car
Imagine a police car that was supposed to be protecting someone important accidentally bumped into another car.
This happened on a busy road in Zirakpur.
The person in the other car, who used to be a very high-ranking army officer, said the police car did it on purpose and drove away.
The police said it was an accident because the driver made a mistake while trying to pass other cars.
They said they have talked to the important person and given the police driver a warning.
They also made new rules for police drivers to make sure this doesn't happen again.
The police driver got a notice asking why they shouldn't be punished.
Punjab Police issued a show-cause notice to a personnel for a 'lapse in traffic discipline' after an escort vehicle hit Lt General D S Hooda's (retd) car.
The incident occurred on the Zirakpur flyover when the escort vehicle, part of a VIP's convoy, allegedly hit Lt General Hooda's car during an overtaking maneuver.
Lt General Hooda stated the escort vehicle deliberately cut sharply in front of his car after being delayed by traffic, calling it a 'deliberately provocative behaviour'.
Punjab Police claim the contact was minor, resulting from an attempt to close a gap in traffic, and assured a thorough inquiry.
Following the incident, Punjab Police issued an SOP for escort and pilot drivers to improve discipline and prevent similar occurrences.
- Who
- Punjab Police escort vehicle driver, Lt General D S Hooda (retd), Punjab Police Administration (Addl DGP AS Rai, DGP Gaurav Yadav)
- What
- An escort vehicle from a Punjab Police convoy hit the car of Lt General D S Hooda (retd) on the Zirakpur flyover, leading to a show-cause notice being issued to the driver for a lapse in traffic discipline.
- When
- Wednesday (incident), Friday (police statement and show-cause notice issued)
- Where
- Zirakpur flyover
- Why
- Disagreement on the nature of the incident: the police cite a traffic discipline lapse during overtaking, while Lt General Hooda alleges a deliberate, provocative act by the escort driver.
Punjab Police's Official Stance
Lt General D S Hooda's Perspective
Nature of the Incident
Punjab Police's Official Stance
The incident occurred due to a lapse in traffic discipline when the escort vehicle tried to close a gap with a sharp overtaking maneuver, leading to minor contact with Lt General Hooda's car. The police identified the involved personnel and issued a show-cause notice.
Lt General D S Hooda's Perspective
Lt General Hooda described the incident as a 'deliberately provocative behavior' and a 'deliberate act' where the escort jeep, after being delayed by traffic, aggressively overtook from the left, sharply cut right, hit his car, and sped off, showing arrogance and impunity.
Action Taken and Transparency
Punjab Police's Official Stance
A show-cause notice has been issued to the police personnel for traffic discipline lapse, and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been issued to all escort and pilot drivers. The police are committed to accountability but have not disclosed the names of the driver or the VIP protectee.
Lt General D S Hooda's Perspective
Lt General Hooda stated that his 'only request is not to underplay the deliberately provocative behaviour of the driver' and expressed hope that the Chief Minister and DGP would take note. He noted that the police officers he met were professional but emphasized the need to address the driver's actions.
- Incident Date
- Wednesday
- Incident Location
- Zirakpur flyover
- Involved Parties
- Punjab Police escort vehicle, Lt General D S Hooda (retd) and his wife
- Action Taken by Police
- Show-cause notice issued to escort vehicle driver, SOP issued for escort/pilot drivers, internal inquiry
- Lt General's Report
- Described as a deliberate, provocative act of aggressive overtaking and hitting his car
- Police's Explanation
- Lapse in traffic discipline during an overtaking maneuver to close a gap
