Tipsy TV anchor Pradeep gets caught on New Year’s Eve

Hyderabad: Telugu television anchor M Pradeep was caught by the Jubilee Hills Traffic police during the special enforcement drive taken up against drink-driving on New Year’s Eve on Monday. According to the police, the anchor was caught at Jubilee Hills Road No 45.

“He was in inebriated condition and driving the vehicle. His Blood Alcohol Concentration levels were 178 mg/ml,” according to a police officer. A case has booked against him and his car was seized by the police.

The police said when breathalyser was administered to the anchor, it showed 178 mg/ml points. As per the norms, if the breathalyser tests positive and shows more than 35 mg/ml points, the vehicle will be seized. Given the fact that the anchor’s blood alcohol concentration levels were more than 100 mg/ml, the police seized the vehicle.

According to police sources, the anchor was asked to appear for counselling to be held on Tuesday. Blood Alcohol Concentration level above 30 mg/ml is considered as a serious offence as far as drivers are concerned.

 Police said this was a serious case and he would have to face trial in a court. In some cases, courts award 1 to 2 days of simple imprisonment, but in a few others the jail term may extend up to six months.

Over 2,000 others booked
Police registered a huge number of drink-driving cases on the New Year’s Eve across the city. More than 22,500 vehicles were checked under the three police commissionerate limits during the intervening night of December 31 and January 1. Over 300 more cars were seized by the police, which included over 100 expensive cars.

Altogether over 2,000 cases of drink-driving were registered on the New Year's Eve on Monday. The cases were registered under the jurisdiction of Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda police commissionerates.

A total of 1,600 cases of drink-driving were registered under the Hyderabad police commissionarate alone. Cyberabad Police Commissioner Sandeep Shandilya said a total of 528 cases of were registered and they would be dealt with as per the law. While Rachakonda Police said as many as 234 cases were registered on Sunday night.