Patna: A road accident turned into a liquor-looting scene in Samastipur’s Dalsinghsarai police station area after a car allegedly carrying liquor overturned in a roadside ditch, prompting a crowd to rush to the vehicle and remove bottles. A video showing people carrying away the liquor surfaced on social media on Monday.The incident took place near Pagda Chowk on National Highway-28 on Sunday. According to information, the car was travelling from the Barauni side when the driver apparently lost control amid rain. The vehicle veered off the road and overturned in a ditch, police said.The occupants managed to get out of the vehicle and fled the spot. Shortly afterwards, local residents gathered around the damaged car. Police said after people noticed the smell of liquor coming from the vehicle, word spread through the crowd and several people allegedly began removing bottles.A video showing the incident has surfaced. In the footage, several people can allegedly be seen taking pack liquor bottles from the overturned car. Some appear to be carrying bottles in both hands, while others reportedly use their ‘gamchas’ to carry them. Around 25-30 people are believed to have been involved in taking bottles from the vehicle.The muddy conditions did not appear to deter the crowd. Some people can reportedly be seen slipping and falling while approaching the vehicle, before returning to collect more bottles.Police said most of the liquor cartons kept inside the car had been removed before they reached the spot. The sequence reportedly began after a passer-by asked a young man about the contents of the overturned vehicle. After being told that it contained liquor, others allegedly rushed towards the car.Dalsinghsarai police reached the spot after receiving information about the accident and the alleged removal of liquor. By then, several people had left the area with bottles. Police recovered some bottles from the site and began investigating the consignment.Authorities are trying to ascertain the quantity of liquor being transported, its source and intended destination. Police are also examining the video to identify people who allegedly removed bottles from the vehicle.Dalsinghsarai Additional SHO Manish Kumar said, “Police reached the spot after receiving information and found that people had taken liquor from the vehicle. Residents in the surrounding area had been asked to return the liquor voluntarily.”He further said police had warned that if liquor was recovered from anyone during subsequent raids, action would be taken according to law. The investigation into the vehicle, its occupants and the suspected liquor supply chain is continuing, the additional SHO added.
