Driver arrested for running over puppy in Thane

The driver of a contract car was charged and arrested after he ran over a puppy at a residential complex in Thane early on Monday.

Nurkhan Amjad Khan drove to the Harmony Horizons complex on Ghodbunder road at about 4.30am, apparently to pick up a call centre employee.

There was a cry of a puppy and one of the residents was drawn to find out what had happened. Ritu Sharma Bhagwat, a housewife, saw that the Tata Indica Vista had crushed the animal.

When she approached the 28-year-old driver, he revved up the vehicle and drove off. The woman managed to note the number of the vehicle (MH 04 GD 1209) and reported the matter to the Kasarvadavali police.

In her complaint, she alleged that Khan drove recklessly and ran over the puppy, leading to its death.

Satish Patil, investigating officer, said the driver was in a hurry as he had to get the call centre employee to the office on time.

The police registered a case under sections 429 (committing mischief by killing or maiming cattle or any animal) and 279 (rash driving) of the Indian Penal Code and section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Khan was summoned by the police and arrested on Tuesday. He was produced before a Thane court and released on bail later in the day. If found guilty under these charges, the driver could be punished with up to five years in jail, or a fine, or both.

"Most people do not report such cases as they are not aware that this is an offence that is punishable," said Shakuntala Majumdar, president of the Thane unit of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.