A Delhi court on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of Gaganpreet Kaur, the woman accused of ramming her BMW into a two-wheeler near Dhaula Kuan, killing senior finance ministry official Navjot Singh and injuring his wife, until September 27.
The Patiala House Court was told by Kaur’s counsel, senior advocate Ramesh Gupta, that the case had been mishandled and that other vehicles involved — including a DTC bus and an ambulance that allegedly refused to assist — should also face scrutiny.
Seeking relief for his client, Gupta argued: “It is an unfortunate incident. Five thousand accidents happen every year, that’s also unfortunate.” He further contended, “If it’s a lady, you can give bail in cases of death sentence and life also.”
Kaur was arrested on Monday and remanded in judicial custody. Navjot Singh, a deputy secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, succumbed to his injuries, while his wife, who was riding pillion, sustained injuries.
The prosecution opposed the bail plea, questioning why Kaur reported the accident to police only five hours after the crash and why the victims were taken to a hospital 19 km away instead of a closer facility. Police noted that the hospital is co-owned by Kaur’s father, raising concerns of a possible attempt to tamper with evidence.
Also read: Delhi BMW mishap: Victim cremated, accused pleading for bail
Prosecution counsel highlighted that Kaur appeared unhurt immediately after the collision and was seen escorting her children from the vehicle, only to be later admitted to an ICU. “How is this possible? Once she takes the victims to the hospital, the injured are just kept on a stretcher but the one who did the running around was admitted in the ICU,” the prosecution told the court.
Gupta also challenged the invocation of section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), corresponding to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. “How was section 304 (of the Indian Penal Code which translates to 105 of the BNS) invoked? My exposure is to 304 (2), which gives the power to the court to grant me bail,” he said.
The accused has additionally been charged under sections 281 (rash driving) and 125B (endangering life or personal safety of others) of the BNS.
The court has issued a notice to preserve CCTV footage from the accident site, following a plea by the accused, with the matter scheduled for further hearing on Thursday.
The case has drawn nationwide attention, prompting questions not only about the handling of the accident but also over whether the law is being applied impartially.
Follow us
