Delhi Court Places Woman Driver in Judicial Custody Following Fatal BMW Crash Incident

A Delhi court has ordered a woman driver to two days of judicial custody after a BMW crash resulted in the death of a senior Finance Ministry official. The court will hear her bail plea on September 17.

A Delhi court has placed Gaganpreet Kaur in judicial custody for two days. She allegedly drove the BMW involved in a crash that killed Navjot Singh, a senior Finance Ministry official, and injured his wife, Sandeep Kaur. Duty Magistrate Akanksha Singh decided on the custody after determining that further interrogation was unnecessary, according to Gaganpreet's counsel, Vikas Pahwa.

The court has also issued notices to Delhi Police and the victims' family regarding Kaur's bail application. They are required to respond by September 17, when the matter will be heard. Navjot Singh, aged 52 and a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, died when his motorcycle was hit by the BMW while he was returning home from Bangla Sahib Gurdwara with his wife.

Accident Details and Allegations

Gaganpreet was arrested on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder after being discharged from a hospital. The FIR alleges she took the victims to a hospital over 19 kilometres away instead of a nearby facility. The victims' family claims that Gaganpreet and her husband received treatment before Navjot and his wife despite their serious injuries.

Pahwa opposed the police's request for judicial custody, citing a 10-hour delay in filing the FIR. He argued that the allegations contradicted statements made during a press conference by the DCP, CCTV footage of the accident, and witness accounts. The DCP stated that CCTV footage showed the BMW first hitting a divider before colliding with Navjot's motorcycle.

Legal Proceedings and Defence Arguments

Pahwa questioned the necessity of arresting Gaganpreet since she was already hospitalised. He argued there was no need for her arrest as no recovery or identification of other accused was required. Pahwa stated that Gaganpreet had no knowledge her actions would result in death and tried her best to provide medical help.

Gaganpreet claimed she took them to Nulife Hospital because she panicked and remembered it from past visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her lawyer argued that she believed better treatment could be provided there due to her own trauma and injuries sustained in the crash.

Investigation and Charges

The police have registered a case against Gaganpreet under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including rash driving and culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The accident occurred around 1:30 PM on Sunday when the BMW collided with Navjot's motorcycle on Ring Road. Sandeep Kaur suffered multiple injuries and remains under treatment.

Gaganpreet, who resides in Gurugram with her husband Parikshit Makkar, was in the car with their children and maid at the time of the crash. Her husband sustained minor injuries. The victims were taken to Nulife Hospital in GTB Nagar, which is linked to one of Gaganpreet's relatives.

Family Allegations and Investigation

Navjot's family alleged that Nulife Hospital is connected to Gaganpreet, where Singh was declared dead upon arrival. When questioned about not taking them to a nearby hospital, Gaganpreet cited panic as her reason for choosing Nulife Hospital due to familiarity from previous visits during COVID-19.

Police sources suggest possible tampering with medical reports related to Gaganpreet's treatment at Nulife Hospital is under investigation. Sandeep Kaur stated she repeatedly urged Gaganpreet and her husband to take them to a closer hospital as Navjot needed urgent care.

The case continues as authorities investigate all aspects surrounding this tragic incident. The focus remains on ensuring justice for Navjot Singh while addressing concerns raised by his family regarding how events unfolded after the crash.

With inputs from PTI