A video captured inside an SUV just before a deadly road accident in Delhi's Dwarka has sparked new inquiries regarding the incident that resulted in the death of 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra. The recording reveals a minor operating the vehicle at high speed while creating a social media reel, moments before it crashed head-on into Sahil's motorcycle.
The accident occurred at 11:57 am on February 3 close to Lal Bahadur Shastri College within the jurisdiction of the Dwarka South police station. Authorities discovered a collision at the site involving a Scorpio SUV, a Swift Dzire taxi, and Sahil's motorcycle. Sahil was found lying on the roadside and was pronounced dead.
Police have filed a case under applicable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the investigation is ongoing.
Footage captured from within an SUV
The widely shared video was allegedly recorded by a woman sitting beside the young driver, who is thought to be his sister.
The footage captures an SUV speeding on a road lacking a divider. The vehicle seems to veer into the oncoming lane, barely avoiding a collision with a bus.
Shortly after, the SUV crashes into Sahil's motorcycle, which is coming from the opposite direction. The footage also depicts Sahil trying to pass the bus right before the collision. His family argues that the online version is edited and omits the last moments of the accident.
A mother claims reckless driving was done for social media videos
In a public statement, Sahil's mother, Inna Makan, claimed that the people in the SUV were filming stunt videos for social media at the time of the accident.
She mentioned, 'On February 3rd, my son was heading to the office. He and his sister were out in the Scorpio to create entertaining reels. The reel clearly shows the high speed at which the Scorpio was being driven. He drove into the opposite lane, directly in front of the bus, and executed a stunt.'
Describing herself as a single mother who brought up her son on her own, she called on media outlets and the people of Dwarka to back her plea for justice and encouraged parents to be more attentive to road safety.
The autopsy indicates significant injuries to the head and chest.
The autopsy report indicates that Sahil's death was caused by hemorrhagic shock due to head injuries. Medical professionals observed a skull fracture on the left side, a significant subdural hematoma, brain swelling, and bleeding contusions.
The report noted several rib fractures, lung injuries, and considerable internal hemorrhaging, with approximately 100 ml of blood present in each pleural cavity. The head and chest injuries were deemed fatal and aligned with those typically seen in a severe road collision.
Juvenile released on bail
According to the police, the SUV was driven by a 17-year-old who lacked a valid driver's license. He was taken into custody and brought before the Juvenile Justice Board, which first placed him in an observation home.
The Board provided him with temporary bail on February 10, due to his ongoing Class 10 board exams.
Authorities have confiscated all three vehicles implicated, performed mechanical evaluations, and gathered CCTV recordings from the vicinity. The wounded taxi driver, Ajit Singh, received treatment at IGI Hospital, and a conclusive medical assessment of his injuries is pending.