Hyderabad, Oct 26 (NationPress) Describing drunk drivers as terrorists who wreak havoc on families, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar issued a stark warning on Sunday: there will be zero tolerance for driving under the influence.

Sajjanar, renowned for his uncompromising stance against intoxicated drivers, shared this message on the social media platform 'X'.

This statement came in response to a tragic bus fire incident near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh on Friday, where the reckless actions of a drunk biker resulted in the death of 19 passengers.

“Drunk drivers are terrorists. Period. Their actions are nothing short of acts of terror on our roads. The devastating Kurnool bus accident, which claimed 20 innocent lives, was not just an accident. It was a preventable massacre, fueled by the reckless behavior of an intoxicated biker. This was a criminal act of negligence that destroyed entire families within seconds,” asserted the IPS officer.

The biker, identified as B. Shiva Shankar, was reportedly under the influence of alcohol. CCTV footage captured him refueling his motorcycle at 2:24 a.m., moments before he lost control and triggered the catastrophic collision at 2:39 a.m. His decision to drive while intoxicated transformed a moment of arrogance into a tragedy of unimaginable proportions.

“I stand firmly by my assertion that DRUNK DRIVERS ARE TERRORISTS in every sense. They ruin lives, families, and futures. Such actions will not be tolerated. In Hyderabad, we are implementing a zero-tolerance approach towards drunk driving. Anyone caught driving under the influence will face the full force of the law. There will be no leniency, no exceptions, and no mercy for those who jeopardize innocent lives. It’s time we stop labeling drunk driving as a mistake. It is a crime that devastates lives and must be punished accordingly,” added Sajjanar.

In related news, the Cyberabad traffic police reported that they executed a special enforcement campaign over the weekend, apprehending a total of 457 offenders.

Among those booked were 346 two-wheeler riders, 20 three-wheeler drivers, 86 four-wheeler operators, and five heavy vehicle drivers.

According to authorities, 399 offenders registered Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels between 35 mg/100 ml and 200 mg/100 ml, while 34 individuals recorded BAC levels from 201 mg/100 ml to 300 mg/100 ml. Another 24 offenders had BAC levels spanning from 301 mg/100 ml to 550 mg/100 ml.

All offenders will face court proceedings.

Cyberabad Police clarified that anyone found driving inebriated and causing a fatal accident will be charged under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder). The maximum penalty under this provision is 10 years of imprisonment along with a fine.

Last week, the courts processed 336 drunk driving cases, resulting in 317 fines and 19 individuals being sentenced to jail for one to two days. Additionally, 23 people were assigned to social services as part of their penalty.