A night of routine delivery turned fatal for Hem Shankar in Delhi’s Subhash Nagar on February 21. Around 2:30 AM, near the metro red light, a high-speed black car struck the young rider, crushing him beneath its tires and sealing his fate.
Hailing from Raghubir Nagar, Shankar was known among peers for his commitment to night deliveries. ‘He was my shift buddy; we covered the area together,’ recounted a co-worker, devastated by the loss. The impact was devastating, leaving no room for survival.
An eyewitness from a adjacent petrol pump described the terrifying sequence: ‘A deafening noise jolted me awake. The car zoomed at 150 kmph, driver and friends drunk. They hit him hard and one bolted, but residents pinned him down.’ Public outrage fueled the quick apprehension.
Police received a distress call via PCR by 3:30 AM, dispatching teams who transported the victim to medical care—only for medics to confirm death. The site investigation uncovered telltale signs of speeding and impairment.
Apprehended driver Mohit Kumar, a Najafgarh-based MCD contractor, is in custody with his car confiscated. Authorities have invoked IPC sections for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and DUI offenses. ‘Full probe including toxicology reports in progress,’ officials stated.
This avoidable calamity exposes systemic flaws in nocturnal road policing. With gig economy workers like Shankar most at risk, calls grow for AI-monitored crossings, mandatory rider insurance, and community watch programs. As investigations deepen, the community unites in grief, demanding accountability to honor the fallen delivery hero.