DAMAN: Tow-truck personnel in Kachigam in the Daman district on Tuesday afternoon allegedly tied up a man who had been abusing them and lifted him onto their carrier before taking him to the local police station, authorities said.
What happened
Police identified the man as Jignesh Chhotubhai Mitha. The incident took place in the Ringerwada area on the main road, when municipal staff hired by the traffic police were impounding a moped parked in a no-parking zone, the Daman police said. According to the official account, Mitha began abusing the employees and was in a drunken state.
Responding to the behaviour, the tow-crew allegedly tied his hands and feet with rope, placed him on the vehicle carrier along with the impounded two-wheeler and transported him to Kachigam police station, where a case was registered under the Prohibition Act, police said. A medical examination was carried out following his arrest and he was later released the same night.
“Seeing the man out of control and bullying, the staffers tied his hands and legs with ropes, lifted him and put him on the carrier. The vehicle reached Kachigam police station,” an officer said.
Political reaction and calls for investigation
Umeshbhai Patel, the Independent Lok Sabha MP from Daman and Diu, circulated footage of the episode on social media and forwarded it to Daman Superintendent of Police Ketan Bansal, demanding action against the firm engaged by the traffic police. The MP described the act as inhuman and sought a probe into the conduct of the contracted personnel.
Police have not publicly disclosed whether any disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the tow-truck employees or the contracting agency. Officials said the criminal matter relating to alleged public intoxication and abusive behaviour was dealt with under the Prohibition Act provisions applicable in the Union Territory.
Local rules on alcohol and public conduct
While consumption of liquor is not prohibited in Daman, the local administration forbids drinking in public spaces such as beaches, streets and parks. The police statement noted the accused was in an intoxicated state at the time of the incident; the registered offence under the Prohibition Act reflects that aspect of the case.
Footage and public scrutiny
Video clips circulating online show several men binding a person’s feet and lifting him onto a flatbed-like carrier. The footage triggered concern from elected representatives and members of the public who questioned whether the tow-crew had the authority to physically restrain and transport a person in this manner.
| Detail | Available information |
|---|---|
| Location | Ringerwada area, Kachigam, Daman district |
| Person involved | Jignesh Chhotubhai Mitha |
| Police action | Case registered under the Prohibition Act; medical examination conducted; released same night |
| Political response | MP Umeshbhai Patel forwarded footage to SP Ketan Bansal, demanded action against firm |
Legal and operational issues raised
The episode raises questions about the permissible scope of action for contractors engaged in traffic enforcement activities. While municipal or police-contracted teams routinely remove vehicles parked in prohibited zones, physical restraint of individuals is generally expected to be the domain of law-enforcement officers. The extent to which private staff may detain or transport persons, even where alleged misconduct is involved, has legal and procedural implications.
Police statements indicated the matter was addressed through the criminal process for alleged public intoxication and abusive conduct. It was not specified whether administrative action would be taken against the tow-truck firm or its personnel for the method used to remove the individual.
What authorities say next
- Police reported registration of a Prohibition Act offence and completion of a medical examination on the accused.
- The MP has asked the superintendent of police to investigate the role of the agency contracted by the traffic department.
- No formal announcement on probe findings or disciplinary proceedings against the towing staff has been made public so far.
Residents and road-users in Daman will be watching for further clarification from the police and municipal authorities on the permissible powers of contracted enforcement staff and any action taken following the MP's complaint.
