A late-night drive through the streets of Delhi turned brutal when a drunk motorist behind the wheel of an Audi car allegedly ran over five people asleep on a footpath in Vasant Vihar, injuring two couples and a child.
The incident occurred around 1:45 am on July 9, outside Shiva Camp in southwest Delhi. The police have arrested Utsav Shekhar, 40, a resident of Dwarka, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time. His medical reports have confirmed intoxication, police officials said on Saturday.
The victims were identified as Ladhi (40), her eight-year-old daughter Bimla, her husband Sabami alias Chirma (45), along with Ram Chander (45) and his wife Narayani (35). All five are residents of Rajasthan. By the time police teams reached the scene, locals had rushed the injured to nearby hospitals.
“Statements of eyewitnesses were recorded, wherein they stated that a white colour Audi car ran over the above-mentioned persons while they were sleeping on the footpath. The driver of the offending vehicle, namely Utsav Shekhar, resident of Dwarka, age 40 years, was apprehended and legal action taken,” the police said in an official statement.
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Preliminary investigations and eyewitness accounts corroborate that the white luxury vehicle veered towards the pavement where the five were asleep, and drove over them without any sign of braking or avoidance. Police say further enquiry is underway to determine the precise sequence of events and assess possible negligence or recklessness beyond intoxication.
The area where the incident occurred is known for housing a large number of informal workers and families who live in makeshift shelters or sleep in the open.
Officers have initiated legal proceedings against Shekhar and are examining whether CCTV footage and other technical inputs can offer further clarity. Police sources confirmed that Shekhar was apprehended on the spot and did not attempt to flee.
While the victims are currently recovering in hospital, their condition remains under observation. No deaths have been reported, but the impact of the crash has sparked renewed concern over the dangers of drunk driving in the capital.
The incident adds to a spate of recent road accidents in Delhi involving reckless driving, often with tragic consequences for pedestrians and the city’s most vulnerable.
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