SRINAGAR: Police in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday said they had solved a fatal hit-and-run case by arresting the accused from Uttar Pradesh and seizing the offending vehicle following an intensive investigation involving technical surveillance, CCTV analysis and coordination with local police.
The case relates to a road accident that occurred on July 10 near KP Colony, Vessu, where an unidentified vehicle struck an 11-year-old girl before fleeing the scene. The child was rushed to Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, where she later succumbed to her injuries, officials said.
Following the incident, Police Station Qazigund registered FIR No. 176/2026 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and constituted a special investigation team to identify the accused and trace the vehicle involved.
During the investigation, police analysed CCTV footage, examined available evidence and pursued multiple technical leads. The investigation led to the identification of the accused and the offending vehicle.
Acting on the evidence, a team from Police Station Qazigund travelled to Uttar Pradesh and, with the assistance of the local police, arrested the accused, identified as Arun Gupta, son of Lalit Ram Gupta, a resident of Behrinbagh, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. The vehicle allegedly involved in the accident was also traced and seized. Further investigation is underway.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kulgam said the arrest demonstrated that offenders cannot evade the law by crossing state boundaries. He said the accused was traced through the effective use of technology, technical investigation and coordinated policing.
The SSP appealed to motorists to drive responsibly, strictly follow traffic regulations and never flee the scene of an accident. He urged drivers to stop immediately after any road mishap, assist the injured and inform the nearest police station or emergency services without delay, warning that abandoning accident victims not only attracts stringent legal action but can also cost lives by delaying timely medical assistance.
Kulgam Police reiterated their commitment to ensuring justice for victims and said strict legal action would be taken against those involved in hit-and-run cases, regardless of where they attempt to evade arrest.
