Tragic E-Rickshaw Accident Claims Life of 4-Year-Old Boy in Delhi
A heart-wrenching incident unfolded in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area on February 3, when a four-year-old boy, Aarav, lost his life after being struck by a rashly driven e-rickshaw outside a school. The police have since arrested the e-rickshaw operator, 25-year-old Deepanshu, in connection with the tragic event.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Aarav, who was eagerly awaiting his school enrollment this year, was accompanying his mother, Janki, and aunt, Archana, to pick up his elder sister from the school. The family was waiting near the school gate during dispersal time, with around 10 to 15 other parents in the crowded area. At approximately 2 pm, just minutes before classes ended, an e-rickshaw hit Aarav while he was holding his mother's hand. The impact caused him to fall, and he was subsequently run over by the vehicle, which then sped away from the scene.
The unconscious child was rushed to a hospital in Dwarka in another e-rickshaw, but doctors declared him dead upon examination. Aarav's father, Bharat Sharma, a sales executive and resident of Goyla Dairy in Chhawla, expressed the family's devastation, stating, "We were planning to enrol him in school this year. He was excited to begin his classes. But our dreams have been shattered."
Police Action and Legal Proceedings
Following the accident, the Chhawla police station registered a case under sections 281 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 106(1) (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on February 4. Authorities scanned CCTV footage from the area, which led to the identification and arrest of Deepanshu, who resides in Goyla village.
Recurring Safety Concerns with E-Rickshaws
This tragic event underscores a persistent issue with e-rickshaw safety in Delhi. In the past year alone, at least three other children have lost their lives in similar accidents:
- In March last year, a 10-year-old child was crushed by an e-rickshaw in Jailorwala Bagh, Ashok Vihar.
- In August, an eight-year-old girl died after an e-rickshaw overturned and fell on her in Jafrabad.
- In October, a five-year-old girl was killed when a speeding e-rickshaw lost control, overturned, and hit her while she was playing near her home in Uttam Nagar.
These incidents reinforce a general perception that e-rickshaws, while a common mode of transport in the city, pose significant safety risks, particularly in crowded areas near schools and residential neighborhoods.
The community and authorities are now calling for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent such tragedies in the future, as families like Aarav's grapple with irreplaceable loss.
