Days after 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra was killed in a devastating SUV crash in Delhi’s Dwarka, the father of the accused said on Tuesday that his family is “deeply grief-stricken” and acknowledged that the vehicle involved belongs to their commercial transport business.
The SUV was allegedly being driven by 17-year-old Akshatra Singh at the time of the incident. He has since been detained. According to post-mortem findings, Sahil died on the spot after suffering a fractured skull, multiple rib fractures and an elbow injury caused by the impact with the Scorpio SUV.
Earlier, Delhi Police registered a case against the minor’s father under the Motor Vehicles Act, holding him accountable as the vehicle owner.
Father apologises, says family cooperating
The accused’s father, who runs a transport business, was questioned by the police. Speaking to the media afterwards, he said he was not in Delhi when the accident occurred.
“My wife informed me about the accident. I did not know my son was driving,” he said, adding that his son had been on his way to drop his sister somewhere. “I regret that this happened. I can imagine the pain the victim’s family must be enduring.”
He said the family would comply fully with the law. “Both my son and daughter were in the car. The vehicle is part of our commercial business and is usually driven by our drivers. Any challans are due to them, not my son. This is a heartbreaking incident,” he told ANI.
He further stated that his son is “very disturbed” and that the entire family is in mourning. “We cooperated with the police and provided all requested documents. I was not aware my daughter was recording a video, and it was not a reel but a short clip,” he said.
Details of the crash
The accident took place around 11:50 am on February 3 near Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in Sector 11, Dwarka. Police said the Scorpio SUV rammed into an R15 Yamaha motorcycle, killing its rider, Sahil Dhaneshra, instantly. The vehicle then collided with a parked Swift Dzire, injuring cab driver Ajit Singh.
The minor driver was apprehended at the scene. A case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 281 (rash driving), 106(1) (causing death by negligence) and 125(a) (act endangering life).
On Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh said the father has been booked under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which holds guardians or vehicle owners liable when a minor commits a traffic offence. “Initially, the boy misrepresented his age. Based on our findings, the father will be chargesheeted under the MV Act,” the DCP said.
On February 4, the minor was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and sent to an observation home. He was later granted interim bail on February 10 to appear for his Class 10 board examinations.
Victim’s family seeks justice
Sahil’s mother said her son was killed by a “reckless teen” just minutes away from his workplace. Dhaneshra, who worked part-time at an insurance firm, had plans to pursue higher studies in the UK later this year.
“My son lay on the road for 10 minutes. Help came late. I want strict action against the boy. He should not have been driving,” she said.
