A senior finance ministry official who was fatally struck by a speeding BMW in Delhi last year remained alive for at least 15 minutes after the collision and might have survived with timely medical intervention, according to a police chargesheet. The report alleges the accused driver deliberately delayed critical help.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The tragic incident occurred on September 14 around 1:30 pm near the Delhi Cantonment Metro Station on Ring Road. Navjot Singh, a 52-year-old deputy secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, was on his motorcycle with his wife when a BMW X5, driven by Gaganpreet Makkad, crashed into a metro pillar, overturned, and then hit their vehicle.
The chargesheet, a 400-page document submitted to a magistrate's court last week, cites a speed analysis report from BMW. It states the luxury SUV was traveling at 100–110 kmph on a stretch with a 50 kmph speed limit. "The speed made it impossible to control the vehicle. The impact, despite the BMW being one of the sturdiest vehicles, shows the force with which the victims were struck," the report noted.
While Singh lost his life, his wife and two others sustained injuries in the accident.
The Alleged Delay in Medical Assistance
The chargesheet presents a damning account of the events following the crash. Citing the post-mortem report, it confirms that Navjot Singh 'survived for at least 15 minutes' after the impact.
Police allege that instead of taking the injured to nearby facilities like Delhi Cantonment Hospital or AIIMS Trauma Centre, which were just 10–15 minutes away, the accused, Gaganpreet Makkad, drove them to Nulife Hospital in GTB Nagar. This hospital is roughly 20 km from the crash site, and the journey took 23 minutes.
The chargesheet describes Nulife Hospital as "a small two-storey nursing home with limited facilities" and states that this decision resulted in the "wastage of the golden hour of trauma care." It further reveals that an ambulance with a driver and paramedic reached the spot within minutes but the accused refused their assistance.
"No fault has been found on the part of the ambulance staff as the accused deliberately refused help and delayed medical assistance," the document states.
Ongoing Investigations and Further Allegations
The police report has made several serious allegations against the accused. It claims Makkad has 'distant family links' with Nulife Hospital, a connection revealed through notices issued to the hospital.
Furthermore, the chargesheet alleges that Makkad falsely admitted herself to the ICU despite having only minor injuries, potentially to mislead the investigation. Police are still collecting documentary evidence regarding the alleged manipulation of medical records at the hospital, and this aspect of the probe remains ongoing.
The final report underscores a tragic loss that, according to investigators, might have been prevented with prompt and proper medical care at a capable facility close to the accident site.
