A Dial 112 emergency vehicle driver was accused of operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol and ramming into a cyclist and a motorcycle in Muzaffarpur's Ramdayalu area on Monday. The driver, identified as Santosh Kumar, was taken into custody by a team from Sadar Police Station after local residents raised an alarm. A medical examination subsequently confirmed alcohol consumption, according to police.

How the Incident Unfolded

According to preliminary information, Santosh Kumar was driving the Dial 112 vehicle through the Ramdayalu area when it allegedly first struck cyclist Shatrughan Rai, a resident of Baramatpur under the Sadar police station area. Rai sustained serious injuries, including injuries to both legs. The emergency vehicle then collided with a motorcycle being ridden by Manish Kumar of Chak Chameli village under the Hajipur Sadar police station area of Vaishali district.

Manish Kumar said he was travelling from his home in Hajipur to Muzaffarpur when he witnessed the Dial 112 vehicle strike the cyclist. The emergency vehicle then hit his motorcycle with considerable force, causing extensive damage. He escaped with minor injuries. Manish further alleged that when he and bystanders confronted the driver after the accident, the driver responded with abusive language.

Public Anger and Police Response

The incident triggered visible anger among local residents, who gathered at the scene and directly confronted Santosh Kumar over the drunk driving allegations. A Sadar Police team arrived at the spot and took the driver into custody, restoring order. The injured cyclist, Shatrughan Rai, has since submitted an application at Sadar Police Station seeking registration of a First Information Report (FIR).

What the SSP Said

Muzaffarpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kantesh Kumar Mishra confirmed that the incident had come to the police's notice and that the accused driver was being questioned. He stated that further action would be taken in accordance with the law following completion of the investigation, and that steps would be taken to seek judicial custody of the accused.

Why This Matters

The incident raises serious questions about the conduct of personnel operating emergency response vehicles — services that citizens depend on in life-threatening situations. Notably, this is not an isolated concern: allegations of misconduct among government vehicle operators have surfaced across several states. The fact that a Dial 112 vehicle — meant to be the first line of emergency response — was allegedly involved in a drunk-driving incident is likely to intensify scrutiny of driver vetting and monitoring protocols within the service. Further legal developments are expected as the investigation progresses.