School students among 158 youngsters detained for drag racing on Xmas eve

With the New Year only a week away, the police have decided to intensify the action to curb drag racing in the odd hours. The operation on Tuesday night was led by Mylapore Deputy Commissioner Deshmukh Shekar Sanjay with two Assistant Commissioners and inspectors.

Police erected barricades on the roads leading to Marina beach, including Radhakrishnan Salai, Anna Salai, GST Road and Sardar Patel Road, and secured 158 two-wheeler riders. They also seized more than 100 bikes.

While 126 people were booked under Sections 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 114 (Abettor present when offence is committed) of IPC, the other 32 were booked under various sections of the Motor Vehicle Act, like over speeding, rash and negligent driving, and racing.

Some of them were school-going minors without a valid driving licence and most of them were college students.

The police said that all of them were released on station bail and were asked to collect the two-wheelers after police produced them in the court. Speaking to the media, Deputy Commissioner Deshmukh Shekar Sanjay said that the drive would be intensified around the New Year.

It may be noted that six persons were killed in accidents over the night on this year’s New Year eve.