Two Dead, 21 Injured in Horrific Jaipur-Delhi Bus Crash Near Jhandewalan Temple
A tragic accident unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday when a private sleeper bus, on its final leg from Jaipur to Delhi, overturned violently near the Jhandewalan Temple in central Delhi. The crash resulted in the deaths of two passengers and left 21 others injured, many critically.
Sequence of Events and Rescue Operations
The Rajasthan-registered tourist bus, with a capacity of approximately 70, was traveling from Jaipur to Sadar Bazar in Delhi. At the time of the accident, around 1 am, it was carrying about 30 passengers, though some had disembarked earlier, leaving 23 onboard when the vehicle overturned.
According to police reports, the bus first rammed into the boundary wall of a park, then collided with an electric pole before finally crashing on its side. The impact was severe, trapping several passengers inside the wreckage.
Rescue operations were swiftly initiated by passersby and police. A nearby earthmover was employed to lift the overturned bus and extricate those trapped. All injured passengers were rushed to various city hospitals for emergency treatment.
Victims and Hospital Admissions
The two deceased passengers have been identified as Mahesh Kumar (22) from Chhattisgarh and Shehbaj Alam (30) from Uttar Pradesh. Both succumbed to their injuries during treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
Of the 21 injured passengers, the distribution across hospitals was as follows:
- 12 were initially taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where two later died
- 10 critically injured passengers were admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
- One passenger received treatment at Lady Hardinge Medical College
Passenger Accounts and Allegations
Multiple survivors have come forward with disturbing accounts of the journey leading up to the crash. Poonam Singh, who was returning with her husband and seven-year-old son from a vacation in Rajasthan, stated that the bus was in poor mechanical condition and that the driver persistently ignored passenger warnings about excessive speed.
"The driver continued to speed despite our repeated requests to slow down," she recounted. "The vehicle itself seemed poorly maintained, which only added to our anxiety."
Aman Kashyap, an engineering student returning home to Noida from Rajasthan, echoed these concerns, alleging rash driving throughout the journey. Several passengers have also raised suspicions that the driver might have been intoxicated at the time of the accident.
Another passenger, Mukesh, revealed that some travelers had attempted to disembark earlier in the journey but were dissuaded by the driver, who insisted on continuing, claiming he had somewhere urgent to be.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
Police have identified the driver as Pankaj Kumar, aged 26, who has been detained and is currently receiving medical treatment. Authorities suspect that Kumar may have either dozed off at the wheel or was driving at dangerously high speeds.
A formal case has been registered at the Karol Bagh police station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 281: Rash driving or riding on a public way
- Section 125(a): Endangering life or personal safety of others
- Section 106(1): Causing death by negligence
Eyewitness Accounts and Narrow Escapes
Murari Lal, a 60-year-old rickshaw puller who typically sleeps near the accident site, credited the electric pole with saving his life. "If the bus hadn't hit the pole first, it would have crushed me completely," he stated. "The noise of the crash was deafening, and within moments, people were rushing to help the injured."
The accident has once again highlighted critical issues of road safety, vehicle maintenance standards, and driver accountability on India's highways. As investigations continue, authorities are examining all aspects of the crash, including the bus's mechanical condition, the driver's history, and compliance with safety regulations.
