In contrast, as many as 700 people were prosecuted for drunk driving on December 31, 2006 (figures from Committee Against Drunken Driving).

What’s interesting is the numbers fell despite the fact that Mumbai’s stringent action — sending drunk drivers to jail straightaway — was not implemented in the Capital. The designated magistrates failed to show up at the selected police stations last night.

Explaining the reason behind the few challans sent out last night, traffic police officials said not many were on the driving seat after having had one too many drinks. In all, 189 people were prosecuted for various traffic violations: 15 challaned for dangerous driving, 8 for jumping red lights, 19 for entering Connaught Place, which was out of bounds after 7.30 pm Monday.

Eighty-five persons arrested for drunk driving were released after a personnel bond of Rs 2,500. “In case a driver who is found inebriated is accompanied by someone with a driving licence, we release the vehicle,” a senior traffic police officer said. “We merely take the offender’s licence.”

As per law, anyone found driving or attempting to drive a vehicle with an alcohol level above 30 mg per 100 ml blood faces imprisonment up to six months, or Rs 2,000 fine, or both. If found for the second time, offenders may end up with jail term of up to two years, or a penalty of Rs 3,000, or both.

But the heavy bandobast seemed to have sobered down the revelers: nearly all of Delhi Police’s 60,000 personnel, including Commissioner Y S Dadwal, were on the streets. Over 300 policemen, many armed with alcometers (breath analysers), were present in the New Delhi district alone, which was the hub of celebrations.

All DCPs, ACPs and SHOs were out in force in their areas. DCPs and other officers kept vigil at all major markets and cinema halls. Joint Commissioner (Traffic) Qamar Ahmad was also on the streets.

Police sources said terror threat was one of the reasons that led Dadwal and his team to fan out across the Capital. Sources said a general threat perception has emerged in the aftermath of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. The police may not have received any specific intelligence inputs about a terror plan but are in no mood to take any chances, a senior officer said on conditions of anonymity.

In a flash, drunk TV journo on wheel snuffs life out of a family
Like every Delhiite, Monday was not just another night for Amar Kumar, too. The icecream vendor from Kalyanpuri was tugging his cart towards India Gate just past midnight. He had made nice business in Connaught Place and wanted to sell some more at the popular roundabout in the Capital’s heart before calling it a day.

India Gate at the time was full of revellers on the New Year’s Eve.

But life changed for the 30-year-old’s family in a flash, just past the magic hour: he had just reached the roundabout of Jaswant Singh Road when, witnesses have told the police, a Maruti Wagon R zoomed in from the Parliament Street side. And in that same, extended flash, it hit Kumar. The collision, witnesses said, was so violent that Kumar flew to the other end of the road, and the car thudded to a stop after hitting the pavement.

The accused, Neelu Ranjan, identified himself as a senior reporter with Aaj Tak news channel, the police said. He was returning from the New Year’s bash at the Press Club of India and was pretty much inebriated by that time, police officials said.

Witnesses have told the police that Ranjan was not even able to stand properly when he came out of the car after the fatal collision. As people gathered to collar him, a heated argument ensued. Ranjan, reportedly with Aaj Tak’s special investigation team (SIT), then took Kumar to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in his car. But the 30-year-old was declared dead when brought to the hospital; doctors said he died due to injury on head.

A case for causing death due to rash and negligent driving was registered against Ranjan at Parliament Street Police Station. He was arrested, and came out on bail on Tuesday morning. “The driver was drunk; his vehicle has been impounded,” said I B Rani, Additional DCP, New Delhi.

Other late-night crashes
l A 22-year-old man died after he was hit by an autorickshaw in Paschim Vihar late Monday night. Police said the victim, Sandeep, was returning from a party at the time. He was taken to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, where he was referred to LN Hospital but succumbed to injuries on way, the police said.