‘Son Deeply Disturbed, Family in Grief’: Father of Teen in Dwarka SUV Crash Speaks Out

Days after 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra was killed in a fatal SUV crash in Delhi’s Dwarka, the father of the detained minor driver expressed regret over the incident, saying his family was “deeply grief-stricken” and confirming that the vehicle involved was part of their commercial transport business.

The crash occurred on February 3 near the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in Sector 11. Police said a Scorpio SUV, allegedly driven by 17-year-old Akshatra Singh, struck Sahil’s Yamaha R15 motorcycle at around 11:50 am, killing him on the spot. The SUV then collided with a parked Swift Dzire, injuring cab driver Ajit Singh.

Post-mortem findings indicated that Sahil suffered severe injuries, including a fractured skull, multiple rib fractures, and a broken elbow.

Father Expresses Regret

Questioned by the Delhi Police, the accused’s father later told reporters he was not in the city when the accident took place.

“My wife informed me about the crash. I did not know my son was driving the vehicle,” he said. He added that both his son and daughter were inside the SUV at the time.

“I run a commercial vehicle business. The Scorpio is used for business purposes, and any challans issued earlier were linked to our drivers, not my son. This is a heartbreaking incident. I can only imagine the pain the victim’s family is going through,” he said.

He stated that the family had cooperated fully with investigators. “The police sought documents, and we provided all of them. My son is extremely disturbed. There is deep grief in our family as well,” he said, also denying knowledge of a short video reportedly recorded by his daughter before the crash.

Legal Action Taken

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including rash driving and negligence causing death. Authorities also booked the minor’s father under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which holds guardians or vehicle owners accountable when a juvenile commits a traffic offence.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh said initial inquiries revealed the driver had misrepresented his age. “Based on the findings, the father will be chargesheeted under the Motor Vehicles Act,” he said.

The minor was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board on February 4 and sent to an observation home. He was later granted interim bail to appear for his Class 10 board examinations.

Family Demands Justice

Sahil’s mother described the crash as a consequence of “reckless driving,” saying help arrived too late.

“My son was lying on the road for several minutes. He was killed just minutes away from his workplace. The boy should not have been driving,” she said, demanding strict action.

Sahil, who worked part-time at an insurance firm, had been preparing to pursue higher studies in the United Kingdom later this year, according to his family.