A 49-year-old man cycling home after work was killed late Monday night in Noida when a high-speed BMW, speeding through dense fog, crashed into him from behind. The violent impact snapped his bicycle into two pieces and flung him several metres, leading to fatal injuries.
Fatal Collision in Foggy Conditions
The tragic incident occurred around 11 pm near Saraswati School, close to pillar number 30 of the Noida elevated road in Nithari village. The victim, Ashok Sharma, a resident of Khurja in Bulandshahr, was returning home on his bicycle after finishing his duty as a supervisor at an institution in Sector 10.
Police stated that the BMW was being driven at a very high speed, which appears to be the primary cause of the crash. The conditions were challenging due to fog, which compromises visibility and mandates reduced speed limits on major stretches. After striking the cyclist, the luxury car went out of control, crashed into a nearby electricity pole—damaging it badly—before finally climbing onto the road divider.
Driver Arrested and VIP Number Car Seized
Passersby who witnessed the accident immediately informed the police and rushed Sharma to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his grievous head and body injuries. The driver, identified as 39-year-old Mankul Mahajan, a property dealer living in Sector 44, attempted to flee the scene but was caught by alert locals and handed over to the police.
A team from the Sector 20 police station reached the spot, arrested Mahajan, and seized the vehicle. The BMW, bearing the VIP registration number UP16-EB 4444, had its front portion badly damaged. An FIR was registered against Mahajan under sections for causing death by negligence and rash driving.
Social Media Outrage and Family's Anguish
The case gained further traction after a video from inside the car was widely circulated on social media. The clip purportedly showed cigarette packets, a lighter, and empty liquor bottles inside the vehicle, triggering public outrage and demands for strict action.
Police sent the driver for a medical examination, but reports were unclear on whether he was drunk at the time of the accident. Authorities are also collecting information about Mahajan's possible criminal background from other districts.
Ashok Sharma was the sole earning member of his family. His bereaved family has demanded compensation from the state government and strict punishment for the accused. After the autopsy, his body was handed over to the family for last rites expected on Wednesday. Police also pointed out that Sharma was linked to an alleged online betting case in 2024.
