Blurred CCTV footage and an invisible license plate didn’t deter investigators from tracking down Arnav Singhal, 24, from Uttar Pradesh. He brutally ran over Woman Police Constable Deepmala Nair at a drink and drive checkpoint Sunday night.

Nair suffered multiple injuries when Arnav accelerated his car, crashing into a barricade, after initially slowing down. A 48-hour operation led by senior officers, including Assistant Police Commissioner Ganesh Ingale and Senior Police Inspector Ajay Waghmare, ensued.

Challenges arose from unclear CCTV footage and an unseen license plate. Extensive searches and visits to local societies and restaurants in Koregaon Park finally led police to the rented car. Arnav and friends had visited Pune for a tour and party.

Speaking to Mirror, deputy commissioner of police (zone-II) Smartana Patil elaborated on the extensive efforts. Patil said, “After reviewing all CCTV footage in Bund Garden, we visited every society and restaurant in Koregaon Park. We eventually traced the car leaving a restaurant there.” With the license plate details, the police found the car’s owner, who revealed that the vehicle had been rented by Arnav and three friends for their Pune tour. The group had partied on Sunday night, and the car was occupied by three people, including two women.

Police Sub Inspector Vaibhav Magdum located Arnav’s address, and the team arrested him before he fled to Delhi. “We tracked the vehicle in 23 hours and nabbed him within hours,” said DCP Smartana Patil. Arnav faces charges under Section 308. Police continue investigating to identify other individuals involved.

Under the guidance of senior officers, a team consisting of assistant police commissioner Ganesh Ingale, Rajendra Mulik from the crime branch, senior police inspectors Ajay Waghmare (Unit-4), Pratap Mankar (Unit-2), Ravindra Gaikwad, assistant police inspector Nandkumar Kadam, Swapnil Lohar, police constables Dnyana Bade and Manoj Bhokare worked tirelessly for 48 hours to solve the case.