Kolkata police halts army vehicle citing reckless driving; Army denies claim

A tense incident unfolded in Kolkata on Tuesday when a vehicle belonging to the Indian Army was stopped by the city police, leading to a disagreement over a traffic violation. The Army vehicle, which was on its way from Fort William to the Passport Office, was halted at approximately 11 a.m. The police alleged that the vehicle was traveling at an excessive speed and had made a dangerous turn, claims that the Army has since refuted, stating that their vehicle was not over-speeding.

According to the police, the Army vehicle was stopped because it was allegedly over-speeding. They also informed the driver that the Commissioner of Police's (CP) convoy was about to pass and was, in fact, directly behind the Army car. The police report states that the Army vehicle made a dangerous and sudden turn despite the signal being open, creating a potential hazard for the convoy and other traffic.

The Army has a different account of the incident. A spokesperson for the Army stated that the vehicle was not over-speeding. The driver claimed that they were unaware that the CP's convoy was following them. They insist that since the signal was open, the driver proceeded with a standard turn and did not commit any dangerous maneuver as alleged by the police. The Army's statement challenges the police's version of events, leading to a classic "he said, she said" scenario.

Following the confrontation, a report was sent to the Hare Street Police Station, where the matter is now being formally addressed. The involvement of the police commissioner's convoy has added a layer of complexity to the incident, turning what would have been a routine traffic stop into a matter of protocol and potential inter-agency friction. Both sides are expected to provide further details as the investigation unfolds.