Late Sunday night near Ambience Mall in Vasant Kunj, a speeding Mercedes returning from a wedding event lost control and crashed into three men waiting for an autorickshaw. The victims were standing on the footpath when the car veered into them. One, 23-year-old chef Rohit Singh, died during treatment.
Two others remain hospitalised. The driver, a software engineer who had borrowed the car for his reception, was arrested.
Who Were the Victims and What Happened in the Delhi Crash?
The deceased, Rohit Singh, worked as a chef at the Paul cafe outlet in Ambience Mall. The other two victims, identified as Kapil (35) and Lalit (25), also worked at the same restaurant. They were waiting outside the mall for a ride when the car struck them. Police said the vehicle hit a road divider, then jumped the sidewalk and rammed into the trio before crashing into a pole.
The crash happened around 2:33 AM, according to a PCR call. One of the survivors suffered serious injuries, while another received less severe wounds. Authorities are continuing their medical care and investigation.
Driver Arrested: Was He Drunk?
The driver, identified as Shivam Arora, works for a US-based tech firm and lives in Karol Bagh. He had borrowed a friend’s Mercedes for his wedding reception that night. Arora underwent a medical test for intoxication, and police said they found no alcohol in his blood. He was booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including causing death by negligence, rash driving, and endangering public safety.
He remains in custody, while police record statements of eyewitnesses and examine CCTV footage near the accident site.
Family Grief and Anger Over a Life Cut Short
Singh hails from Chamoli in Uttarakhand. He lived in a rented room in Munirka and supported his family as the sole breadwinner. “He was very hardworking… we didn’t know this would happen,” said his uncle, Balwant. The family is en route to Delhi, and Singh’s parents are in shock. “He was standing near the footpath, waiting for an auto. What was his fault?” his uncle asked.
Friends and colleagues describe Singh as dedicated and kind. The sudden tragedy has left them mourning — and demanding swift justice against the driver.
Why the Crash Raises Broader Safety Concerns
This accident underscores a persistent danger: reckless driving and high-speed collisions in Delhi’s busy night-time zones. That the car came from a wedding reception, with driver and passengers returning home late at night, points to a broader trend of crashes linked to celebratory recklessness.
Pedestrian safety — especially outside malls and markets — remains a major concern. Crowded pavements, drunk driving, and speeding vehicles combine to create frequent danger zones across the city. This episode renews calls for stricter traffic law enforcement, better awareness, and safer driving habits.
What Happens Next? Investigation and Legal Action
Authorities have arrested the driver and begun a full investigation. They will gather CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and forensic evidence to determine the exact cause of the crash. Charges already include rash driving, negligence, and danger to public safety.
Police and local civic bodies may also review safety norms near busy commercial hubs like malls. Enhanced signage, traffic calming measures, and safer pedestrian zones could be on the agenda to prevent further tragedies.
For Singh’s family, the focus now is on mourning their loss and fighting for justice. For the city, this crash serves as a reminder of the human cost of reckless driving — and the urgency of better road safety enforcement.
