Hyderabad: In a bizarre and disturbing incident that has drawn widespread attention on social media, an autorickshaw driver in Hyderabad allegedly threatened traffic police personnel with a dead snake after being caught driving under the influence of alcohol. The incident occurred on Saturday within the jurisdiction of the Chandrayangutta Traffic Police Station and was confirmed by police officials on Sunday.

According to the police, traffic personnel were carrying out routine vehicle checks as part of a drive to curb drunken driving and ensure road safety. During the inspection, officers stopped an autorickshaw and found that the driver was intoxicated while operating the vehicle. Following standard procedure, the traffic police seized the three-wheeler and asked the driver to remove his personal belongings from the vehicle before it was taken into custody.

What followed, however, was completely unexpected.

As the driver stepped out of the auto-rickshaw, he suddenly pulled out a dead snake and began using it to intimidate the traffic police personnel present at the spot. Officials said the man waved the dead reptile at the officers in an apparent attempt to threaten and scare them into releasing his vehicle without registering a case.

Police sources said the driver repeatedly demanded that no legal action be taken against him and insisted that his autorickshaw be returned immediately. Despite his aggressive behaviour and the unusual method of intimidation, traffic personnel remained composed and followed due process.

A case has since been registered against the driver for drunken driving and for threatening public servants while they were discharging their official duties. However, after the altercation, the driver reportedly fled from the scene. Police said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend him.

A video of the incident later surfaced on social media platforms and quickly went viral. In the footage, the autorickshaw driver can be seen holding the dead snake in his hand and walking towards a traffic policeman, repeatedly shouting and demanding the release of his vehicle. The video has triggered a mix of shock, disbelief, and criticism online, with many users expressing concern over the safety of traffic personnel and the audacity of offenders.

Senior police officials said the incident highlights the challenges faced by traffic police during enforcement drives, particularly when dealing with intoxicated individuals who may behave unpredictably or aggressively. They reiterated that strict action would be taken against anyone found obstructing or threatening police officers in the course of their duty.

Meanwhile, the incident has also sparked broader discussions online about public behaviour towards law enforcement and the need for stricter deterrents against drunken driving, which continues to be a major cause of road accidents and fatalities.

In a separate but equally troubling incident, another video involving traffic police personnel went viral over the weekend, this time from Karnataka’s Bengaluru, triggering public outrage and renewed debate on police conduct.

The video allegedly shows a traffic police officer assaulting a cab driver in full public view. According to claims made in a widely shared post on social media platform X, the incident occurred near the RT Nagar flyover, close to a Shell petrol station in the city.

As per the post, the cab driver had briefly parked his vehicle for around five minutes when the traffic police officer approached him and began shouting. The situation reportedly escalated rapidly, with the officer allegedly slapping and manhandling the driver in front of bystanders.

The viral footage shows the uniformed officer confronting the driver, who appears to be trying to explain himself and defend his actions. The visuals have prompted strong reactions online, with many users condemning the alleged use of force and demanding immediate disciplinary action against the officer involved.

The Bengaluru incident has reignited conversations on social media about accountability within the police force, the appropriate use of authority, and the need for better mechanisms to address complaints of misconduct. Several users contrasted the two incidents—one involving a civilian threatening police personnel, and the other allegedly involving a police officer assaulting a civilian—arguing that both underscore the importance of rule of law and responsible behaviour on both sides.

Authorities in Karnataka have not yet issued a detailed public statement on the Bengaluru video, but officials said the matter is being looked into and that appropriate action would be taken after verifying the facts.

Together, the two viral incidents have once again brought issues of road safety, enforcement challenges, public conduct, and police accountability into sharp focus, highlighting the complex and often tense interactions between citizens and law enforcement on India’s busy roads.