In a heart-wrenching case that underscores the deadly consequences of reckless driving, a 40-year-old man was arrested in Delhi after allegedly running over five people sleeping on a footpath with his luxury Audi car. The horrific incident occurred in the early hours of July 9, around 1:45 a.m., near Shiva Camp in the upscale Vasant Vihar area.
A Night of Tragedy
The accused, identified as Utsav Shekhar, a real estate agent from Dwarka, was reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of his white Audi. He was returning from Noida when the vehicle swerved off the road, climbed onto the footpath, and ploughed through a group of sleeping individuals.
Among the victims was 8-year-old Bimla, along with her parents Ladhi (40) and Sabami alias Chirma (45). Another couple, Ram Chander (45) and Narayani (35), was also injured. All the victims hail from Rajasthan and had been living without shelter in the area. The Audi continued its reckless path before crashing into a stationary truck nearby, bringing the horrifying ride to a halt.
Locals rushed to the scene upon hearing the crash and the screams. Emergency services were called in, and the injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Police confirmed that Shekhar was inebriated at the time of the incident and was promptly taken into custody.
Pattern of Negligence and Death on Delhi Roads
This is not an isolated incident. Delhi has seen a disturbing rise in fatal accidents involving drunk or underage drivers in recent months:
- In May, a 19-year-old driver killed two people and injured three more after his vehicle struck a cyclist and ploughed into a slum in west Delhi.
- In April, a 2-year-old girl tragically lost her life when a car driven by her 15-year-old neighbour ran her over in the Paharganj area.
These heartbreaking incidents point to a systemic failure in enforcing road safety norms, especially concerning underage and drunk driving.
Authorities Respond
Following the latest incident, law enforcement officials have reiterated the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and harsher penalties for those who endanger lives through reckless behavior. A senior Delhi Police official stated, “This is not just a traffic violation. It’s a matter of life and death for the city’s most vulnerable. Stronger deterrents are essential.”
Legal experts have also called for a reevaluation of bail provisions in such cases, emphasizing that drunk driving resulting in injury or death should be treated as culpable homicide and not just rash driving.
Voices from the Street
Social activists and civil society members have highlighted the deeper issues reflected in this tragedy—namely the unsafe conditions faced by the homeless and the lack of accountability among the privileged classes.
“An eight-year-old girl died on the street not because she made a mistake, but because the system allowed someone with money and alcohol in his veins to drive freely,” said a volunteer from a Delhi-based NGO working with homeless families.
The Road Ahead
As the investigation into Utsav Shekhar’s actions continues, the larger question remains: How many more lives will it take for systemic change to occur? The pain endured by the victims and their families should not be in vain.
Delhi’s roads are not just asphalt lanes for vehicles—they are spaces where thousands live, sleep, and struggle for survival. A moment of drunken recklessness can devastate entire families, especially the voiceless and forgotten who sleep on the margins.
It’s time the capital wakes up and demands accountability—before the next innocent life is lost under the wheels of privilege and negligence.
