The manager of Amici Cafe, located in New Delhi’s Khan Market, was killed when a Ford car driven by a commercial pilot working with a leading flight operator ran over him on Subhramanyam Bharti Marg on Tuesday afternoon.
The cause of death has not been ascertained so far. The police claims the deceased suffered fatal injuries when he lost his balance while chasing the Ford car and fell onto the concrete pavement. The deceased has been identified as Rajeev Jolly Wilson, 37, a resident of Dwarka.
Rajeev was going to his cafe in a Hyundai i10 car while the accused, identified as Vikas Aggarwal, a commercial pilot with Jet Airways who lives in Patparganj area, was following Rajeev in his Ford car. Both vehicles were on S.B. Marg.
“As the cars took a service lane to Khan Market, Aggarwal lost control over his vehicle and hit the Hyundai car, causing minor scratches. Rajeev halted his vehicle and walked out to check the damages. He later entered into an argument with Aggarwal,” a senior police official said.
Eyewitnesses told the police that Rajeev allegedly started punching Aggarwal while he was seated in his car, “In an attempt to avoid further assault, Aggarwal started his vehicle and tried to escape from the spot. Rajeev, however, chased his car but lost his balance after a few metres and fell down on the pavement,” the official said.
“Rajeev suffered critical head injuries and his ribs were broken by the fall on the concrete. His hands were run over by the car. A case under Section 279 (rash and negligent driving) and 304-A (causing death due to negligence) have been registered against him (Aggarwal) and he has been arrested,” additional commissioner of police (New Delhi) K.C. Dwivedi said.
Sources said Aggarwal, who was apparently infuriated by Rajeev’s alleged assault, repeatedly ran his vehicle over Wilson, killing him on the spot. Mr Dwivedi, however, denied such claims, “He was not run over by the car. We are waiting for the post-mortem examination to confirm the exact cause of death.”
In the meantime, eyewitnesses gathered at the spot. A PCR call was made and a team of cops arrived and Aggarwal was taken into custody. Rajeev was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where he was declared brought dead. “He had suffered fatal head injuries,” a doctor said.
The police said the statements of witnesses are being recorded and Aggarwal is being questioned. The police said the accident had resulted in a minor scratch and dent on Rajeev’s car.