How FB post helped Hyd cops nab hit-and-run accused

Hyderabad: Three youths hit a minor girl with their vehicle on 24 January 2020 at Yellamma temple in Balkampet, Hyderabad, and escaped the scene. The girl fractured her leg. The cops were unable to catch the accused for 13 days until the netizens intervened.

The police investigation was made difficult by the insufficient evidence. The SR Nagar police analyzed the CCTV footage but unfortunately, the camera could not capture the vehicle number plate. The cops then posted photos of the three youths on social media, including Facebook and WhatsApp.

The message read, "Please help identify the persons involved in negligence and speed driving. The three hit a minor girl at Balkampet temple and she suffered a fracture. Report to the SR Nagar police once identified."

Following the post, informers and netizens identified the trio and informed the police of their whereabouts.

Speaking to NewsMeter, sub-inspector of police Bhaskar Rao said, "The pictures were passed on to our informers and posted on Facebook. Residents of Rehmath Nagar identified the three youth, all minors, and reported it to the cops".

On 6 February, based on evidence, the three were taken into custody and a case under sections 337 (causing hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently) and 107 (wilful misrepresentation or wilful concealment of a material fact) of the Indian Penal Code was registered.