Zepto Delivery Executive Fatally Struck in West Delhi Hit-and-Run Incident
A tragic hit-and-run accident in west Delhi's Tilak Nagar area has claimed the life of a 25-year-old delivery executive working for the quick commerce platform Zepto. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, resulting in the arrest of the accused driver, who has since been granted bail.
Victim Identified as Hem Shankar; Family Alleges Dragging
The deceased has been identified as Hem Shankar, a resident of Raghubir Nagar in west Delhi. According to his family, Shankar was traveling from Subhash Nagar to Mayapuri via Rajouri Garden to complete a delivery when the collision took place. They allege that after the initial impact, Shankar was dragged by the vehicle for several metres, exacerbating his injuries.
Police received a PCR call at 3:26 AM reporting the accident near a red light close to the Subhash Nagar metro station on Najafgarh Road, heading towards Rajouri Garden. Upon arrival, officers found both the car and the victim's electric scooter at the scene. Shankar had already been transported to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Accused Driver Arrested, Suspected of Alcohol Influence
The accused, Mohit Kumar, a 27-year-old resident of Najafgarh, was arrested following the incident. Police suspect that Kumar was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. His blood sample has been sent for forensic testing to confirm alcohol levels. An FIR has been registered in connection with the case.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Darade Sharad Bhaskar stated that eyewitness accounts indicate the Hyundai Verna car, driven by Kumar, struck Shankar's e-scooter from behind. This caused the rider to fall and sustain critical injuries. Preliminary investigations support this rear-end collision theory, though further inquiry is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances.
Details of the Collision and Aftermath
Sources revealed that the car was speeding when it took a sharp left turn, striking the e-scooter and flinging it away. The vehicle then hit a pole and finally came to a stop after crashing into a drain cover. Videos recorded post-incident show the car's airbags deployed, with severe front-end damage and both the windscreen and rear window broken. The e-scooter was completely destroyed.
A witness at a nearby petrol pump reported hearing a loud noise and rushing to the spot. He claimed the car was being driven at high speed and dragged the victim for a considerable distance. Police have announced that a mechanical inspection of the car will be conducted to verify if it was speeding.
Family and Platform Response
Shankar's relative, Surender, told media that the family received a call from locals informing them about the accident. "One of the locals managed to unlock his phone and contacted his brother. They then took him to a hospital in a car," he said. Surender also reiterated that the car was driven at high speed and Shankar was dragged several metres after impact, with the force causing all airbags to deploy.
An official from Zepto commented on the incident, stating, "We take care of everything in such cases. The insurance cover offers financial support." This highlights the platform's protocol for assisting delivery executives and their families in tragic events.
Accused's Background and Legal Status
Mohit Kumar was reportedly returning home from a wedding in Dwarka with a friend when the accident occurred. An MCD official clarified that Kumar is not an employee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi but works as a contractor. The official added that there is no clarity on which department he belongs to, and MCD has no role in the matter, distancing the corporation from the incident.
Despite being arrested, Kumar has been granted bail, a development that may raise questions about legal proceedings in hit-and-run cases. The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the full sequence of events and ensure justice for Hem Shankar and his grieving family.
