Shivani Chauhan, the Gurugram biker who was allegedly hit by a car on Golf Course Road, has accused Gurugram Police of negligence over the delay in arresting the man allegedly behind the wheel, asking how he was able to make reels and speak to reporters even as he remained out of police custody.
In an interaction after the incident, Shivani, who uses the name Sia on social media, questioned, “How come he (accused Kalyan Bainsla) is getting so much time to make reels, meet with reporters. This is negligence on part of police.”
She also called the incident an “obvious hit-and-run and attempt to murder” and said she would pursue the matter legally.
She said that she became alarmed when a car first sped past her at close range during her Sunday morning ride. She said the occupants appeared drunk and that she asked them to maintain distance.
“I only picked speed when I felt they were following me,” she said, adding that she was travelling at around 60-70 kmph while the car was moving at nearly 100 kmph.
According to Shivani, when she slowed down, the car changed lanes and continued to move towards her. A fellow rider also tried to intervene and asked the driver to stop. She said the driver instead maintained that he was not at fault and blamed the woman rider.
Shivani also rejected the accused’s claims that there was a woman inside the car, saying that there were only men inside the car. She also denied claims that she was part of a large, organised biker group or that she had deliberately provoked the occupants.
“I don’t have any group. But it’s a small community and we recognise who owns which bike,” she said, explaining that riders behind her were able to record the incident after recognising her.
She also rejected allegations that she had been “pinching” or provoking the driver. “I have no such intentions ever. I have to look after my safety as a bike rider. Why would I compromise my own safety?” she said.
The incident was captured on a camera mounted on her Aprilia RS 457 and the footage later went viral. Police took suo motu cognisance and registered an FIR under Sections 125 and 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash or negligent acts and rash driving. Police said further sections could be considered based on Shivani’s complaint and medical report.
She said she suffered bruises on her arms and knees and credited her riding gear with preventing a more serious injury. “My shoulder didn’t break only because I was wearing my safety gear,” she said.
The accused, Kalyan Bainsla, has denied deliberately hitting Shivani and claimed she was riding at 140-170 kmph and suddenly turned while he was attempting a U-turn. He has also said he drove away because he feared the bikers would attack him and his family.
Police have identified Bainsla and launched a search for him. He has been described in reports as a gym owner and a person who presents himself as an international kabaddi and rugby player on social media.
Shivani, meanwhile, has maintained that the available footage tells a different story and said the incident should be treated as an attempt to murder and hit-and-run case.