Anjali Singh, whose death after being dragged by a car for 13 kilometres has raised new concerns about women’s safety in the national capital, was not alone when her scooter was hit, according to sources.
Investigators have discovered that Anjali, 20, was with a friend, Nidhi, when a Maruti Baleno car hit her scooter in the early hours of this New Year.
According to sources, the friend sustained minor injuries in the crash and fled the scene. According to investigators, Anjali’s leg became entangled in the car’s axle and she was dragged along with it.
When police were preparing a route map to gain more clarity on what happened that night, the new findings came to light.
They discovered that the two friends checked out of a hotel at 1.45 a.m. after attending a New Year’s Eve party. CCTV footage shows the two women leaving the hotel, not far from the accident site. They are seen mounting the two-wheeler and riding away.
Nidhi is driving here, and Anjali is riding pillion. Anjali, it is learned, later expressed a desire to drive, and the two switched places.
The incident occurred in Sultanpuri, west Delhi. The five men in the car admitted to being drunk at the time of the accident. They were terrified.
The accused have told police that they panicked and drove away, unaware that Anjali was being dragged along with them.
Deepak Khanna, who was driving, told police that he felt “something was stuck” as they drove away, but others dismissed him.
The car is said to have driven for about 13 kilometres, dragging the 20-year-old woman through the streets.
One of the accused Mithun noticed a hand under the vehicle while the car was making a U-turn in Kanjhawala. When the car came to a halt, the body detached. According to police, the accused then fled the scene.
