Accident – Court Takes Cognisance in Dhaula Kuan BMW Fatal Crash Case
Accident – The Patiala House Court on Thursday recorded the appearance of Gagan Preet Kaur Makkad, the accused in the Dhaula Kuan BMW accident that claimed the life of Finance Ministry Deputy Secretary Navjot Singh.
Court Appearance Following Police Charge Sheet
Gagan Preet Kaur appeared before Judicial Magistrate First Class Ankit Garg in response to a summons issued earlier by the court. The summons was ordered after the court took cognisance of a charge sheet submitted by the Delhi Police on January 23. During the hearing, the court formally supplied a copy of the charge sheet to the accused, in line with procedural requirements.
The matter has now been listed for scrutiny of documents on February 20, marking the next stage in the judicial process.
Charges Framed Under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita
According to the prosecution, the charge sheet invokes Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, which relates to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Additional sections cited include 281, 125(b), and 238(a), covering offences connected to negligent driving, endangering life, and related conduct.
Advocate Gagan Bhatnagar represented the accused during the proceedings. After hearing the submissions made by the Delhi Police, the court concluded that the material on record disclosed a prima facie case.
“I have perused the charge sheet and the documents annexed with it. It prima facie discloses commission of offence,” the magistrate observed while taking cognisance. The court subsequently ordered that summons be issued to the accused for further hearings.
Police Claim Delay in Medical Assistance
In its detailed charge sheet, the Delhi Police alleged that the victim could have survived if timely medical treatment had been provided. Investigators stated that the critical “golden hour” for trauma care was lost because the injured was taken to Nulife Hospital in GTB Nagar, which was approximately 23 minutes away from the accident site.
Police pointed out that major medical facilities such as the Army Base Hospital and AIIMS Trauma Centre were located within a 10 to 15-minute radius. Despite this, the decision was allegedly made to transport the victim to a more distant facility, contributing to a fatal delay.
Details from Medical and Forensic Reports
The post-mortem report, cited in the charge sheet, reportedly indicates a minimum survival window of at least 15 minutes. Investigators have also obtained a speed report from BMW to assess the vehicle’s movement at the time of the crash. Additionally, a forensic examination through the Forensic Science Laboratory is underway to independently verify the speed and technical aspects of the vehicle.
Witness Statements and Hospital Concerns
The charge sheet runs over 400 pages and lists 34 witnesses, including statements from the ambulance driver, ambulance assistant, and a DTC bus driver who was present nearby. Police recorded the ambulance staff’s statements under Section 180 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, maintaining that there was no negligence on their part.
Investigators further alleged that an ambulance with a paramedic arrived at the scene within minutes, but its services were refused. The police have stated that the refusal of immediate medical evacuation contributed to the delay in treatment.
Allegations of Intentional Delay Under Scrutiny
Police documents also note that Nulife Hospital is a small, two-storey nursing home with limited facilities. The charge sheet alleges that the accused has distant family links with the hospital, which influenced the decision to take the victim there instead of a nearby trauma centre.
Further allegations include a deliberate attempt to delay medical intervention, misleading investigators by seeking ICU admission despite minor injuries, and possible manipulation of medical records. Police have clarified that these aspects are still under investigation and no final conclusions have been drawn at this stage.