Jalandhar: A routine morning turned chaotic near Shastri Market Chowk on Sunday when an 18-year-old learner driver accidentally injured a newspaper delivery boy and caused damage to the residence and vehicle of former Punjab Minister and senior BJP leader, Manoranjan Kalia.
The incident took place around 7:15 a.m., as per police and eyewitness accounts. The girl, who was reportedly learning to drive, lost control of the car while attempting to reverse the vehicle near Kalia’s residence in Rasta Mohalla, triggering a sequence of collisions.
Cyclist Hit, Vehicle Damaged, House Impacted
The vehicle first hit 22-year-old Deepak, a local hawker delivering newspapers on his bicycle. The impact left him seriously injured. Eyewitnesses helped rush him to Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, where he is currently under treatment and said to be in stable condition.
“I was on my way to deliver newspapers when the car reversed into me out of nowhere,” Deepak said from the hospital bed. “There was no time to react.”
According to the police, after hitting Deepak, the car continued to roll backward, colliding with Manoranjan Kalia’s personal vehicle, which was parked outside his house. The momentum didn’t stop there — in a panic, the young driver attempted to regain control but instead pressed the accelerator again, causing the vehicle to crash into the outer structure of Kalia’s residence.
Former Minister Speaks Out
Former minister Kalia, who was at home at the time of the incident, told reporters that the car involved was recently purchased to replace his previous vehicle, which had been damaged in a grenade attack.
“It’s unfortunate, but I’m relieved that no life was lost. Property damage can be fixed,” Kalia said.
Minor structural damage was reported to the boundary of the house and his parked car sustained visible dents and scratches.
Police Investigation Underway
Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Surjeet Singh, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that the girl involved in the accident is approximately 18 years old and was behind the wheel without a valid license at the time of the incident.
“The call came in shortly after 7 a.m., and our team responded immediately,” said ASI Singh. “We’re examining how the accident occurred, but it appears to be a case of inexperience and panic while driving.”
Police from Division No. 3 Police Station have registered a case and are reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area. Appropriate legal action will be taken once the investigation is complete, the ASI added.
Rise in Driving Mishaps Involving Learners
This incident highlights growing concerns around untrained individuals operating vehicles on public roads, particularly in residential and high-traffic zones. Authorities have reiterated the need for supervised training and proper licensing protocols, especially among first-time drivers.
Residents in the area, many of whom witnessed the event, called for stricter monitoring of learner drivers and designated zones for practice, away from crowded streets.
As of now, the injured hawker is recovering, and police are continuing their probe into the sequence of events that led to the mishap.
