New Delhi: A Delhi Traffic Police constable was run over after he stopped a car driver, who was on a joyride along with two minor friends, because of traffic diversions that were in place, police said Sunday. The three accused have been detained.

The incident took place near Zakhira flyover in Moti Nagar area of west Delhi around 7.30pm Saturday.

The constable Mana Ram, 28, who was on picket duty with one of his colleagues, was hit by a white Maruti Ritz car driven by Ramakant, 28, a driver by profession.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead.

Ramakant, who was on a joyride with his two minor friends (aged 15-16 years), hit Mana Ram with his car which dragged Ram’s body for around 150 metres on the road. The three then fled the spot.

A police official said the victim had stopped Ramakant at the picket and told him to take another route because of traffic diversion in place between 5 and 9pm in the area. This triggered a heated argument between them.

“At that time, the accused reversed the car, but then accelerated forward at a high speed and hit the constable,” said the official.

“The accused trio were later arrested from their respective residences in Shastri Nagar area. The two minors have been sent to a juvenile centre, while Ramakant has been sent to judicial custody,” said the official.

Ram, resident of Nagaur in Rajasthan, joined Delhi Police in 2010 and was posted in the traffic department in Patel Nagar circle of west Delhi.