This Article is From May 31, 2009

Delhi hit-and-run killer still free

Delhi hit-and-run killer still free
New Delhi:

Three people were run over by a car in south Delhi on Saturday but the guilty are yet to be caught. The police say they are on their trail but the families of the three auto drivers say they fear money and clout might prevent them from getting justice.

Police say they've identified the driver of the car who ran into and killed three people. His name is Vikram, but more than 36 hours later they haven't been able to catch him.

Worse of all, the police haven't even caught the owner of the car. Surjeet, one of the accused, lives in a house that is locked. Nor have they found the other two people believed to be in the car.

On the defensive, the policemen investigating the crime refused to go on record. But the neighbourhood in the slum Kishangad of Delhi is demanding answers. The three victims, all auto rickshaw drivers, were their neighbours.

"When poor people die, nothing happens. The government doesn't do anything," said Surjao Rathi, victim's neighbour.

Thirty five year old Kamlesh fathered three children. He was one of the auto rickshaw drivers who died on the spot. His nephew Sumodh, another victim, married a few months ago.

The neighbours said the unfortunate news had not been given to his wife.

"The families and friends of the victims have gone to their village in UP to perform the last rites," said Santosh, victim's neighbour.

Police sources say they are searching for the driver, Vikram. But the neighbourhood is worried that they won't get justice - simple because the victims were poor.

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