By Sulagna Halder
New Delhi:
A speeding Audi car ran over five people sleeping on a footpath near Shiva Camp in Vasant Vihar, southwest Delhi. Among the victims were a married couple, two daily wage labourers from Rajasthan, and an eight year old girl, who remains in critical condition, authorities revealed.
Police identified the driver as 40 year old Utsav Shekhar, a property dealer from Dwarka, who was intoxicated at the time and lost control of his vehicle around 1:30 am. He initially fled the scene but was apprehended after his Audi collided with a stationary truck moments later.
The victims, all originally from Rajasthan, included Ladhi (40) and her husband Sabami alias Chirma (45), along with Narayani (35), her husband Ramchandra (45), and their daughter Bimla (8). Only two of the injured are in a critical condition, while others are receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Amit Goel, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South West), detailed that the victims were resting on the pavement when the Audi mounted the footpath and struck them. He emphasised their vulnerability: “The victims were engaged in petty jobs for survival,” highlighting the risks faced by urban migrant workers forced to sleep on streets.
Following the collision with the truck, police tracked the Audi’s licence plate and arrested Shekhar at the scene. He has been charged with rash and negligent driving causing injury. Prosecutors are expected to add charges related to drunk driving, as medical reports confirmed intoxication at the time of the accident.
Delhi has witnessed several such tragedies in recent years. Last year, a speeding canter truck crushed five pavement dwellers in Shastri Park, and in 2022 a luxury car crashed into people sleeping under a flyover on Lodhi Road, killing two children and injuring several others. These incidents have drawn renewed scrutiny on urban road safety and pedestrian protection measures.
Local residents and activists have expressed outrage at the recurrent loss of life. Many are calling on city authorities to implement pedestrian friendly infrastructure, including dedicated walkways, speed regulators, and adequate shelter options for migrant workers. Concerns about the lack of safe sleeping zones for vulnerable populations have also resurfaced.
Transport experts say while decelerated zones and reinforced crash barriers may help, the city must adopt a holistic safety approach. This includes better mapping of footpaths, provisions for safe resting areas, improved street lighting, and more public awareness on the dangers of overspeeding, particularly at night.
As Delhi authorities investigate the crash, attention is now turning to the hospital wards where the injured are being treated. The eight year old girl and one adult remain in serious condition, receiving critical care. CMD and senior trauma surgeons at the treatment facility said they are closely monitoring their progress.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by vulnerable residents amid India’s rapidly motorising urban environment. Despite recurring warnings, accidents involving speeding vehicles and unprotected pedestrians persist. With five more lives shattered in Vasant Vihar, the city’s policymakers face mounting pressure to introduce robust safety reforms to prevent further loss of life.
