New Delhi, India
A 45-year-old homeless man died after being hit by a car and dragged by it for at least 10 metres in the Indian capital's Connaught Place, reported news agency PTI.
Shivam Dubey, 28, who was identified as the driver of the car, escaped after allegedly committing the murder. Police got hold of Dubey with the help of CCTV footage.
The homeless man, identified as Lekhraj was reportedly rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
According to the police, Dubey is from the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and borrowed the car from a friend in South Delhi’s Mahipalpur to pay a visit to an acquaintance in Connaught Place.
While returning around 3:25 pm (local time), the car hit Lekhraj, a homeless man, who was trying to cross the road near Barakhamba Radial Road.
The report by PTI citing an anonymous source said that the homeless man got stuck under the car’s wheels, but Dubey mercilessly kept driving.
Dubey's car allegedly dragged Lekhraj for around 10 metres, after which the accused took off. According to the police, Dubey returned the car to his friend.
The accused is currently in police custody under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police also asserted that the car involved in the accident has been impounded, and an investigation is underway.
Road accidents in New Delhi
Car accidents are not an uncommon issue in the Indian capital. According to the ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2022’ report, New Delhi recorded the highest number of road accidents in the country.
As of May 15, 2024, 518 people lost their lives in over 510 fatal crashes in the Indian capital, according to data shared by the Delhi police.
(With inputs from agencies)