The Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the accident involving vehicles travelling behind Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s convoy on the Purvanchal
Expressway during his visit to Sultanpur.
The probe will examine the circumstances that led to the collision and determine whether there was any negligence or lapse in security arrangements, escort management or traffic coordination.
The SIT was constituted on the directions of Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna.
According to a statement, the team has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the incident and submitting a detailed report to the Police Headquarters at the earliest.
The team will also suggest measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.
Inspector General of Police, Lucknow Range, Kiran S, will head the SIT. Additional Superintendent of Police, Sultanpur, Brij Narayan Singh, and Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Sultanpur, Ram Krishna Chaturvedi, are the other members of the investigation team.
The probe will also look into possible shortcomings in the security arrangements, the management of vehicles accompanying the convoy and traffic coordination during its movement.
The team has been directed to submit its findings to the Police Headquarters as soon as possible. Its recommendations will also focus on measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
RAHUL GANDHI’S CONVOY ACCIDENT
The accident occurred around 10.15 am on Monday when Rahul Gandhi was travelling to Sultanpur for a court hearing in a defamation case against him.
According to a police officer who spoke to news agency PTI, a private vehicle at the front of the convoy, belonging to local Congress leaders, suddenly applied the brakes for an unspecified reason. This led to vehicles travelling behind it colliding with one another.
Police said the vehicles involved in the pile-up had joined the convoy midway. The vehicles were carrying passengers, including Congress workers from neighbouring Amethi district.
The collision involved vehicles travelling with the Congress leader’s convoy on the Purvanchal Expressway.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the sequence of events leading to the sudden braking and subsequent collisions, will be examined as part of the investigation.
RAHUL GANDHI SAFE, NO MAJOR INJURIES REPORTED
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was safe following the incident, a police officer told PTI. The officer described the accident as not serious and said no major injuries were reported.
Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi also confirmed to PTI that Gandhi was safe and that his vehicle was not involved in the accident.
“Rahul ji is completely safe. It was a minor brush as his motorcade moved along the expressway,” Awasthi said.
The convoy resumed its journey towards Sultanpur shortly after the collision. Accompanied by police personnel for security, it reached the Sultanpur court around 11.15 am for the hearing.
Rahul Gandhi was travelling to Sultanpur to attend a court hearing in a defamation case against him.
The case relates to alleged objectionable remarks made by Gandhi against then BJP president Amit Shah at a rally in Bengaluru ahead of the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections.
