Tragedy in Delhi Cantt: Thar hits motorcycle, couple killed
Their daily ride home from work ended in tragedy on Wednesday when a couple working in the NDMC was killed after their motorcycle was allegedly hit from behind by a Thar in Delhi Cantonment, leaving behind a grieving family.
Anju, around 50, and her husband Sukhbir, around 45, were returning to their home in Sector 1, Dwarka, from their workplace in Lodhi Road when the accident occurred near the IOC red light around 5 pm on Wednesday, police said.
The couple, who had been working together at the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) since 2002 and travelled together daily, were on their way home when their motorcycle allegedly slipped on the road before the SUV came from behind and ran over them, police said.
A staff member of the Delhi Cantonment police station, who was returning from duty, noticed the accident and informed the police. The injured couple was rushed to a hospital, where they were declared dead, police added.
The incident has left the couple’s families devastated, particularly Sukhbir’s siblings, who said he had recently built a new home and was living happily with Anju, who had entered into her second marriage with him a few years ago.
“I received a call from my family that an accident had happened. I called his phone multiple times, but it was answered by a police officer. He asked me who I am; I informed him, and he asked me to come to the police station immediately,” Chotelal, Sukhbir’s younger brother, said.
Chotelal said he went to the police station along with his nephew and was later taken to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where they were asked to identify Sukhbir’s body. “His jaw was completely broken, and he had injuries on his body. As far as we know, a Thar hit them. They were turning right when the car came speeding from the left,” he said. “They have been working since 2002 and used to travel together daily,” Chotelal added.
Anju’s son Rohit said the family was informed about the accident around 5 pm. Police said the Thar driver was caught by locals and handed over to them. The driver was identified as Bhupendra, 26, a resident of Jhajjar in Haryana, they said.
Bhupendra, who runs a milk booth in Rohini, has been booked under sections 281 (rash driving) and 106(a) (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, police said.
For Sukhbir’s family, the accident has also brought back memories of a difficult childhood and the sacrifices made by his sisters to raise him and his siblings after their parents died early.
Ramesh Pal Singh, 65, Sukhbir’s brother-in-law, said Sukhbir was particularly close to the family and had recently begun enjoying a married life. “He was like my child. They are five siblings — two brothers and three sisters. Their parents died early. His elder sister raised them,” Singh told PTI. He said Sukhbir and Anju had met while working at NDMC and eventually fell in love.
“He and Anju had married a few years ago. They were working together in NDMC where they fell in love. Anju left her first husband and started living with Sukhbir,” Singh said. “Sukhbir had also made a new home recently. They were very happy together, and it ended like this,” he added. Recalling how Sukhbir’s elder sisters had brought up the family after their parents’ death, Singh said the tragedy had left them heartbroken.
“Think about the three sisters that raised him like a mother,” he said.
Singh also appealed to the government to provide compensation to the family and employment to Sukhbir’s younger brother.
“We want the Government to compensate and give his younger brother his job in NDMC. He was working in NDMC since 2002 and recently got permanent,” he said.
According to police, a preliminary inquiry has suggested that the motorcycle slipped on the road before they were run over.
Further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events and circumstances leading to the fatal accident, they said.
Police said the vehicle and other relevant evidence were being examined as part of the investigation.
