KORIYA, Dec 1 A VIRAL video showing Sonhat Block Medical Officer Dr Anit Bakla and his friend celebrating a birthday by cutting a cake on the bonnet of a Scorpio and bursting firecrackers on National Highway 43 has resulted in criminal action in Koriya district. The video, reportedly shot late on the night of November 28 near the Gej river stretch close to the Rampur tri junction, shows the Scorpio bearing registration number CG 16 CR 0016 parked in the middle of the highway while a candle lit cake is placed on its bonnet and crackers are ignited as the duo sings and celebrates. The footage spread rapidly across social media and drew immediate attention from the police.

 

Kotwali Police said the vehicle was halted on the main carriageway which caused obstruction to traffic and created a dangerous situation for commuters at night. Senior officers reviewed the circulating video and directed prompt registration of an FIR. Based on the visual evidence, police booked Dr Bakla, resident of Chhote Ani, and his associate Altmas of Rampur for their involvement. Police officials said the viral clip confirmed misuse of a public road and negligent handling of firecrackers that posed risk to passing vehicles and pedestrians. Verification of technical inputs, statements and other supporting evidence is currently underway.

 

The FIR has been registered under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) 2023 Section 285 for negligent conduct involving Explosives Substances Act, Section 288 for causing obstruction on a public way and Section 3(5) for creating impediment on a public route. Action has also been taken under Motor Vehicles Act Section 122 for improper parking and Section 177 for violation of traffic regulations. Police confirmed that further legal steps will be taken based on the progress of the investigation. Notably, the fresh incident adds to a series of similar cases in Chhattisgarh where authorities have tightened enforcement on highway celebrations following High Court directions to curb unsafe conduct on state and national highways.

 

Previous actions in Surguja, Bilaspur, MCB and other districts involved FIRs for car bonnet cake cutting, obstruction of roads for celebrations and reel making by youth groups.