Man dies after assault in metro; former IAS officer, son booked

A dispute over a seat reserved for senior citizens inside a Delhi Metro train allegedly turned violent, resulting in the death of 48-year-old Pawan Sharma. Delhi Metro Police have arrested former IAS officer Sanjay Pratap Singh, 65, and his son, Siddharth Singh, 36, in connection with the case. Both accused have been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

According to police, the incident occurred on October 8, when Pawan Sharma was travelling with his mother, Durga Devi, towards Yamuna Vihar. The two were seated on seats designated for senior citizens when Sanjay Pratap Singh and his son boarded the train at Mandi House Metro Station.

A dispute allegedly broke out over the seats and escalated into a physical altercation. At around 5.47 pm, police received information that a person had become unconscious on Platform No. 1 at Supreme Court Metro Station.

By the time police reached Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, where Sharma had been taken along with his mother, he had been declared brought dead. His death subsequently led to a police investigation into the alleged assault. On the basis of the statement given by his mother, police registered FIR No. 07/2026 on October 9 at the Supreme Court Metro Police Station under Sections 105 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The accused have been identified as Sanjay Pratap Singh, a resident of Sector 44, Noida, and his son, Siddharth Singh, who lives in Sector 50, Noida.

Police said their involvement emerged during the investigation and both were arrested on the basis of evidence collected in the case. They were subsequently produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

Sanjay Pratap Singh had also figured in a bribery-related case in 2015. According to media reports, the Central Bureau of Investigation had arrested him in December that year over allegations of demanding a bribe of Rs 2.2 lakh. He was then reportedly serving as Principal Secretary of the Delhi Government’s Department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minorities. Reports at the time also referred to the recovery of 31 gold bars from his locker during a CBI search.

Police said the investigation into Pawan Sharma’s death is continuing. Further findings are expected to establish the precise sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding the fatal altercation.