Speeding Mercedes mows down man in Delhi, driver held

New Delhi, August 18

A 35-year-old man died after he was allegedly mowed down by a speeding car and dragged for a few metres here on Saturday. Pradeep Gautam (45) of Noida, who was driving the car, fled the spot but was arrested later, said the police.

According to the victim’s family, the car allegedly rammed into his cycle from behind, after which he was dragged, along with his cycle, by the speeding vehicle for several metres.

The accident happened near Bhogal Flyover in the Ashram area, as the victim was on his way to work, the police said. “The victim was identified as Rajesh from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh,” a senior police official said. The official said he worked as a gardener in the Jor Bagh area.

Rajesh travelled almost 20 kilometres from Madanpur Khadar to Jor Bagh daily for work, a family member said.

The police said a hit-and-run case was registered against Gautam and he was arrested. According to the police, a PCR call was received at the Sunlight Colony police station on Saturday to inform them of the fatal accident. “Teams were immediately rushed to the spot,” a senior official said.

The police found the cyclist in a pool of his blood on the road near Ashram to Bhogal Flyover. His cycle was found nearly 150 metres ahead of his body.

The deceased was identified as Rajesh and the body was sent for an autopsy. An FIR under Sections 281 (rash driving) and 106 (1) (death due to negligent act) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered.

The car was registered under the name of a private company, the police said.

“We are also reviewing CCTV camera footage,” said a police official. The car in which the accident took place has been seized.

Jeet Lal, brother-in-law of the victim, demanded strict action against the accused.

“It was around 7 am when I got a call about the accident. I visited the spot and identified him,” Lal said. He said some locals in the area told him that the car was being driven recklessly and that it hit Rajesh from behind. His cycle got dragged almost 300 metres ahead of the actual spot of the accident, Lal said. “We want justice and strict action against the accused. We also got to know that the driver of the vehicle was drunk,” he added.

Another relative, Arjun Kumar, said, “He was survived by his wife and two sons. We also demand compensation for Rajesh’s family members. His elder son is 12-years-old, while the younger is eight-years-old.” Arjun claimed the car dragged Rajesh’s cycle for almost 200 metres.

The police said the victim’s body has been sent for a post-mortem examination and an investigation is underway.