Gurugram: A Gurugram resident has issued a legal notice to Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) O P Singh after the top cop publicly labelled Thar owners as “crazy” and associated them with rogue behaviour. The remarks, made during a press conference earlier this month, have sparked controversy among vehicle owners and automotive enthusiasts, prompting demands for a formal apology.
Thar owner demands unconditional apology
Sarvo Miter, a resident of Sector 102, sent the legal notice through his counsel seeking an unconditional written apology from the DGP within 15 days. The notice also demands that Singh retract his statement, failing which the complainant intends to initiate a defamation case.
Miter, who purchased his Mahindra Thar in January 2023 for over ₹30 lakh, stated that he opted for the SUV due to its strong build quality, safety features, and reliability for daily use. According to the notice, the DGP’s generalisation linking Thar ownership with hooliganism was “mocking, insulting, and baseless”.
The notice further states that as the highest-ranking police official in Haryana, Singh’s comments carry “significant authority and influence”, amplifying the reputational harm caused. Miter claims he faced uncomfortable questions from relatives, neighbours, and colleagues, resulting in mental stress and social embarrassment.
What the DGP said
The controversy stems from a press briefing on 8 November, in which the DGP explained the reasoning behind police checks on certain vehicles. Referring to Thar SUVs and Bullet motorcycles, Singh said officers avoid stopping all vehicles but cannot ignore these two.
“If it’s a Thar, how can we let it go? Or if it’s a Bullet motorcycle… all rogue elements use these two,” Singh said. He further stated that the vehicle one chooses “reflects their mindset”.
The DGP cited incidents where Thars were used for stunts or involved in reckless driving. He referred to a recent case in which a Thar driven by the son of an assistant commissioner of police was involved in running someone over. “It’s in his name, so he is the rogue element,” he said, adding that many Thar owners “indulge in mischief”.
Turning to a fellow policeman during the briefing, Singh said, “If we make a list of cops, how many will have a Thar? And whoever has it, he must be crazy (‘dimaag ghuma hua hoga uska’). The Thar is not a car, it’s a statement.” He concluded by saying, “You can’t indulge in hooliganism and then expect not to get caught.”
His comments went viral, stirring backlash online and offline.
Viral remarks trigger backlash, debate
The DGP’s statements have been widely shared on social media, with many questioning the stereotyping of vehicle owners. According to the legal notice, the viral nature of the remark intensified the complainant’s reputational damage.
Supporters of the Thar and Bullet communities assert that irresponsible actions by a few should not define all owners. Automotive groups have also argued that vehicle profiling is an inadequate substitute for traffic enforcement reforms.
Meanwhile, some police officials defended the DGP’s comments, stating that they were made in the context of increasing misuse of high-powered vehicles in road accidents and stunt videos. However, critics argue that generalised comments from a public official undermine trust between citizens and law enforcement.
Actor Gul Panag steps in to defend enthusiasts
Well-known actor and automotive enthusiast Gul Panag, who owns a Mahindra Thar and rides a Royal Enfield Bullet, publicly objected to the DGP’s remarks. In an Instagram post, she wrote that “anecdotal generalisations don’t help strengthen road safety”.
She added that both Thar and Bullet are iconic Indian brands and that disparaging their owners “serves no purpose”. Panag emphasised the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms rather than stereotyping vehicle users. “What truly makes laws effective is ensuring a law-enforcement mechanism that inspires both respect for the law and a healthy fear of consequences,” she wrote.
Her comments received widespread support from fellow riders and drivers, further fuelling the debate over responsible vehicle ownership and policing.
Legal implications and next steps
The legal notice serves as a formal demand for apology, but it could potentially escalate into civil litigation should the DGP decline to retract his comments. Legal experts note that public remarks made by high-ranking officials are subject to scrutiny, especially when they may be construed as defamatory towards identifiable groups.
The Haryana Police has not officially responded to the notice yet. Any formal reply or refusal could set the stage for a high-profile defamation case.
Conclusion
The dispute highlights the growing tension between law enforcement’s concerns over road safety and the perception of profiling among motorists. As the legal clock ticks on Miter’s 15-day deadline, the controversy continues to raise questions about public responsibility, communication by senior officials, and the treatment of motorists based on their choice of vehicle.