Gurugram Hit-and-Run: Driver's Cousin Detained Over Obscene Remarks to Woman Biker

A distant cousin of the man accused of ramming a sedan into a woman biker in Gurugram has been detained for allegedly passing obscene remarks at her, police said on Wednesday.

The cousin, identified as Lavnish Bainsla, was travelling in the white sedan with black tinted windows as it drove alongside the woman's motorcycle during the incident. The main accused, Kalyan Bainsla, who was driving the vehicle, was detained earlier in the day after an extensive search.

"The role of the other person is currently being investigated. It is established that he was present with the accused at the time of the incident. As the investigation progresses, further details regarding his role will be shared," a police officer said.

The action followed two days after the sedan hit the motorcycle of the woman, identified as Sia, on a Gurugram road before speeding away. The entire episode was captured on action cameras mounted on her bike and by other riders who were following her.

Sia has given multiple media interviews over the past two days, appealing for action. On Wednesday morning, she questioned how the accused could remain free despite what she described as a blatant criminal act.

According to a police officer, after the video went viral, the accused gave a media interview apparently attempting to present a counter-narrative, then switched off his phone and left the area. He drove across several locations to evade detection and eventually reached an area near Dausa in Rajasthan. Police tracked him down after examining dozens of CCTV cameras along the routes he had taken.

"The investigation is underway, including verification of other aspects concerning him. The incident came to the police's notice only yesterday. The police immediately took suo motu cognisance on the basis of the video and initiated action. All further action, including the medical examination of the accused, will be carried out as per law," the officer said.

While the matter may involve aspects of drunk driving, the provisions invoked relate to a much more serious offence, including Section 307, since the video clearly shows the accused deliberately hitting the woman from the side, the officer added.

Before the detentions, Sia had asked the police to explain how any law-abiding citizen in places like Gurugram and Delhi could feel safe when the department itself does not act. "I will not give up on the fight. I will set an example," she said.

Sia told reporters that men like Bainsla getting away would encourage criminals to harm common people, expecting no punishment. "I was terrified after he rammed my bike. I am glad that everything was recorded," she said.

On camera, several violations were captured, including the black tint on the sedan's windows, jumping a red light and the hit-and-run. "The driver was clearly drunk. He hit me deliberately," Sia said.

In an earlier video, Bainsla was seen telling a reporter that he did not know whether the biker was a man or a woman and alleged that only one side of the incident had been presented. He also questioned why videos involving one of Sia's male friends had not emerged.

Sia challenged his claim that she and the other bikers had repeatedly accelerated and slowed down. "He is saying that we were repeatedly speeding up and slowing down on the road. But my video clearly shows who was actually trying to corner whom," she said.

She dismissed his claim that he was unaware a woman was riding the motorcycle, saying he had come close to her, seen her hair, made gestures and signalled for her to stop.

Sia's father said in the evening that his daughter had gone to a magistrate's office to record her statement, accompanied by her brother and sister.