A 32-year-old man was killed by a speeding Mercedes while crossing the main road near ludlow Castle School, in North Delhi’s posh Civil lines area at 8.50 pm on Monday. The occupants of the car, that was allegedly being driven by an inebriated minor, abandoned the Mercedes after the accident and fled the spot, said police.
The deceased, Sidharth Sharma, alias Sidhu, a resident of White Apartments in Civil lines, was a business executive. Sharma, who was to fly to the United States on April 13 as his marketing firm had sponsored him for an official, was crossing the road after buying eatables from a shop at the trisection when the killer Mercedes hit him from behind.
“Sidhu was flung several feet into the air and landed at least 15 meters away. After hitting Sidhu, the speeding Mercedes, hit the road divider and both the tyres on the right were busted by the impact,” said a police officer.
According to Delhi Police, the car is owned by Manoj Agarwal, a resident of B-2 Oberoi Apartments in Civil lines. Manoj owns a flourishing paper and wedding cards printing business in Chawri Bazar in North Delhi.
Manoj’s driver has been questioned by the police and the businessman has also been asked to appear before the investigators as it is yet to be ascertained who was driving the car at the time of the accident.
However, according to police sources, Manoj’s minor son was driving the car in an inebriated state. The five-seater Mercedes was packed with eight people, including a 10-year-old boy and was being driven at the speed of 80-100 kmph. “Two bikes had narrowly escaped a collision with the car earlier and were following it to give the driver a warning,” sources said.
Civil lines Police Station was informed about the accident and rushed to the spot. Sidhu was taken to Sant Parmanand Hospital where doctors declared him critical. An FIR was registered by Sub-Inspector Rajendra Kumar (informant) who said that Sidhu’s check up was done and doctors declared him too critical to state anything. later at night, Sidhu succumbed to his injuries.
Police impounded the car, licence plate number Dl 2F CM 3000 and a case was registered at Civil lines Police Station under IPC Sections 279 (Rash driving or riding on a public way) and 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others.)