A 76-year-old retired Army officer, who had bravely overcome cancer, lost his life in a tragic hit-and-run incident in southwest Delhi's Dwarka area on Saturday. In a separate and unrelated accident in the same locality, a 26-year-old restaurant owner died after his car crashed into a tree early Monday morning, police confirmed.
A Life of Courage Cut Short
The victim of the hit-and-run has been identified as Inderpal, a resident of Rajasthan Apartments in Dwarka's Sector 4. Authorities at the Dwarka North police station received a PCR call about the incident. Upon arrival, police found Inderpal lying on the road. He had been struck from behind by a vehicle while walking, and the driver fled the scene without offering assistance. Despite being rushed to a hospital, Inderpal succumbed to his injuries.
His son, Ajay Chauhan, shared with the media that his father was a fighter. Inderpal had been diagnosed with lung and cervical cancer in 2020 but had been cancer-free for the past two years. "My father was extremely active and full of life. Age was just a number for him," Chauhan said. He described how his father, after the first year of treatment, insisted on taking the bus to the hospital by himself for the next two years, showcasing his independence and strength.
The Fateful Day and Police Investigation
Chauhan recounted his father's strict daily routine. After lunch, Inderpal would visit the market to meet friends and always walked back home. On the day of the accident, around 5 PM, he was returning and was near his society's gate when a car hit him. "The driver didn't even stop to help or check on him," a grieving Chauhan stated. A woman from the society found him and, with others, took him to the hospital in an e-rickshaw.
A senior police officer indicated that the immediate spot of the accident lacks clear CCTV coverage, making the search for the vehicle challenging. However, investigators are reviewing footage from nearby cameras to trace the route taken by the offender. A case has been registered under Sections 281 (rash driving on a public way) and 106 (death due to negligence) of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Second Tragedy Strikes Dwarka
In a separate incident, tragedy struck Dwarka again in the early hours of Monday. Police received another PCR call at the Dwarka North police station about a car accident. At the scene, they found a blue car that had collided with a tree on the pavement.
The driver was identified as 26-year-old Sumanshu, a resident of Mohan Garden and the owner of the Tandoori Baithak restaurant in Rajouri Garden. He was found trapped in the driver's seat and was declared dead after being rushed to the hospital. Another passenger, Shariq, also from Mohan Garden, sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.
Based on Shariq's statement to the police, the car was being driven at high speed in a negligent manner, which led to the crash. A case has been registered in this matter as well.
The back-to-back accidents have cast a shadow over the Dwarka area, highlighting road safety concerns. The death of Inderpal, a man who had conquered a major health battle only to fall victim to a reckless driver, has left his family in profound sorrow. "This January, my parents would have marked their 52nd wedding anniversary. No one should have to die in such a manner," his son Ajay Chauhan lamented.
