A fatal road accident in the Dhaula Kuan area of Delhi on Saturday has resulted in the death of a high-ranking government official, Navjot Singh, a Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Finance. His wife was critically injured and is currently receiving medical treatment. The incident occurred as the couple was returning from the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara on a motorcycle. Their motorcycle was hit by a car near Metro Pillar Number 57.
Preliminary reports indicate that a woman was driving the BMW involved in the collision, with her husband present in the vehicle. The motorcycle first struck a divider and then collided with a bus after the impact. Both Navjot Singh and his wife were thrown from the bike. The couple in the car reportedly arranged for a taxi to transport the injured to a hospital located 22 kilometers away. Despite medical efforts, Navjot Singh succumbed to his injuries, while his wife remains in serious condition.
In the aftermath of such accidents, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) serves as a crucial recourse for families seeking compensation. There’s no upper limit on the compensation awarded by the tribunal. The insurance company then fulfills the payment obligation. The Ministry of Finance has provided guidelines concerning this process.
Filing a claim requires an initial FIR with the police. The supporting documentation includes the FIR itself, the death certificate, proof of age, and documentation showing dependency on the deceased’s income. The application and accompanying documents must be submitted to the MACT in the relevant jurisdiction. The tribunal reviews the evidence, determines the compensation, and directs the insurance company to make the payment.
Under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, there is no limit to the compensation for fatalities or serious injuries in third-party claims. Families do not have to prove that the accident was caused by the vehicle owner’s fault; the occurrence of the accident and the resulting injury or death are sufficient. The vehicle’s insurance company is responsible for the compensation, which is determined by the tribunal.
Compensation is not granted if the accident resulted from the driver’s negligence, driving under the influence, or deliberate misconduct. Promptly notifying the insurance company about the claim is important. Families can potentially receive unlimited compensation under third-party insurance, provided that they submit the FIR, evidence, and application to the MACT in a timely manner.
The driver of the car, Gaganpreet, has been arrested by the police. After being discharged from the hospital where she was treated, she was taken into custody. She is charged under several sections of the BNS, which includes culpable homicide not amounting to murder, reckless driving, and tampering with evidence. She drove the injured to a hospital 22 kilometers away, instead of a closer one. Media reports suggest that the hospital is associated with Gaganpreet, leading to the suspicion of a potential manipulation of medical records. If the car is properly insured, that will likely not be affected. However, if the court finds her guilty on all charges, she could face a lengthy prison sentence.
The deceased, Navjot Singh, was a resident of Hari Nagar, Delhi, and worked as a Deputy Secretary in the North Block of the Ministry of Finance. His family has raised concerns about why he was taken to a hospital 22 kilometers away, rather than a closer medical facility. Tragically, he was declared dead upon arrival. His wife’s treatment is ongoing.
The police have seized the BMW car. Crime and forensic teams are gathering evidence from the scene. According to the police, the woman and her husband, residents of Gurugram, were also injured in the accident. The investigation continues, relying on CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts. The police are waiting for the couple to recover to interview them.
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