Army officer’s son, 20, killed after car falls into drain near Delhi’s Vasant Kunj; DDA ignored complaints, say residents

Repeated complaints about an accident-prone open drain allegedly went unanswered before a car overturned into it near Delhi’s Vasant Kunj, killing a 20-year-old student, according to residents.

The accident occurred near the Nangal Dewat traffic signal on Friday morning. Police said the car lost control while negotiating a sharp turn and entered the drain. The surviving passenger later attributed the crash to the slippery road.

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Car overturns in drain near Nangal Dewat

The victim, identified as Yashvendra, was driving towards Vasant Kunj with a female friend when the accident occurred.

Police said the car skidded near the sharp turn, fell into the drain and overturned. Yashvendra suffered serious injuries and died during treatment.

A PCR call reporting a fatal road accident was received at Vasant Kunj South police station. Officers subsequently reached the crash site and began legal proceedings.

The vehicle belonged to the co-passenger but was being driven by Yashvendra, according to police.

Residents allege repeated complaints to DDA were ignored

Residents said the open drain had been involved in several accidents and claimed that requests to have it covered produced no action from the Delhi Development Authority.

“Accidents happen here regularly. Yesterday, these youngsters, aged around 20 to 25 years, were travelling through this stretch when their vehicle fell into an open drain. One of the youngsters unfortunately lost his life,” an eyewitness said.

“This open drain has long been an accident-prone spot, and it is the responsibility of the DDA.”

Another part of the eyewitness account alleged that residents had raised the matter during several meetings.

“We have repeatedly raised this issue with the DDA and have held several meetings, urging them to cover the drain, but no action has been taken, and today, one life was lost due to this,” the resident said.

The DDA’s response to the residents’ allegations was not available.

Passenger cites slippery road as cause of crash

The co-passenger told investigators that the vehicle lost control because the road was slippery.

Police have not announced a final cause of the accident. Investigators are examining the circumstances in which the car left the road and entered the drain.

Yashvendra and the passenger were pursuing higher education at the same institution in the United States. Police said Yashvendra was the son of an Indian Army officer.

Further investigation is underway.