New Delhi: A 14-year-old boy's last words to his father were filled with joy after attending an IPL match, just moments before a tragic road accident claimed his life and that of his cousin. Abhav Bhatia, a Class 9 student, and his 20-year-old cousin Yagya were returning home on a motorcycle when a truck struck them near central Delhi's Ashoka Road.
Final Phone Call
Abhav's father, Sumit Bhatia, recounted the heartbreaking conversation. He had dialed his son just before 10:27 pm on Monday and insisted he stay on the line. During the two-minute call, Abhav said, “Papa, bahut enjoy karke aaye hain, hum aadhe ghante mein ghar pahunch jayenge” (Papa, have enjoyed a lot. We will reach home in half an hour). Suddenly, Sumit heard a loud bang over the phone. He immediately realized something terrible had happened. Despite repeatedly calling out, there was no response. After a few minutes, an unknown person answered the call and informed him about the accident. The family rushed to the spot.
Family's Grief
At the mortuary of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Tuesday, Sumit and Yagya's father broke down, struggling to come to terms with the loss of their only sons. Friends and relatives stood helplessly as the enormity of the tragedy sank in. The Bhatia family, residents of west Delhi's Ashok Nagar for decades, run a dry fruit business. They were preparing for Abhav's birthday on April 30, with planning and decoration underway. Now, they must cope with an unbearable loss.
Shared Love for Cricket
The cousins were inseparable, bound by family ties and a shared passion for cricket. Yagya, a BSc student at a Delhi University college, was a passionate cricket enthusiast. He represented his college team and even bowled at the nets for IPL players. His social media profile reflected this love, with a bio reading “cricket enthusiast” and “join the journey.” His last post, uploaded on April 26, featured a short clip of an IPL team's arrival in Delhi. Earlier posts showed him taking wickets, playing in games, posing with professional cricketers, and strumming the guitar. “He was passionate and confident about making a future in cricket and was under the guidance of a prominent coach,” said Ravi, a relative.
The tragic accident has left both families devastated, with the community mourning the loss of two young lives full of promise.
