A constable posted with the Jammu and Kashmir Police was arrested on Thursday after the Gypsy he was driving rammed into two vehicles, claiming the life of an 18-year-old youth. Accused Mohammed Rafique was suspected to be driving under the influence of liquor.

Rafique, who is posted with the CID cell of the J-K Police, was on his way to the Jammu and Kashmir House when the accident occurred near Lalit Kala Akademi on Feroze Shah Road around 11.30 pm on Wednesday. The Gypsy was reportedly speeding and first hit the cycle-rickshaw, killing its rider, Guddu. Due to the impact, the Gypsy jumped over the divider and settled on the other side, when a call-centre Tavera collided head-on with it. An occupant of the Tavera sustained injuries.

Police said the Gypsy was part of the VIP cavalcade of Jammu and Kashmir politicians, including the Chief Minister.

After the incident, Rafique reportedly got out of the vehicle when the passers-by caught him. He, however, had given them the slip by the time the police arrived at the scene. The police, however, arrested him on Thursday.

“We suspect he was drunk. We have sent his blood samples for tests. Anything concrete can be said only after the result comes in,” said Shanker Dass, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi).

Guddu, the deceased, was a migrant from Bihar and lived behind Delite Cinema in Delhi, the police said.

Officers said the injured passenger of the Tavera, Prem Kumar, went to RML Hospital on his own and was discharged after first aid. Kumar was on way to ITO when the accident took place.