Tragedy in Delhi: Biker dies in suspected pothole accident

In a tragic incident in south Delhi's Tigri area, 37-year-old Rashid Khan, a motorcyclist, succumbed to a fatal head injury, possibly sustained while trying to avoid a pothole.

Despite having a helmet, police report that Khan was not wearing it at the time of the accident, carrying it in his hand instead.

The mishap occurred near Sangam Vihar, where Khan was found lying with a severe head wound adjacent to his bike and helmet. He was promptly transported to the AIIMS trauma centre but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The injury was described as a four-inch long and 1.5-inch deep gash.

Investigations are currently underway to determine whether Khan’s death resulted from a fall caused by the pothole or if a hit-and-run might have been involved.

The absence of CCTV coverage in the area complicates the inquiry. Preliminary assessments suggest that Khan was traveling at speed without his helmet secured, lost control, and fell into a sewage-filled, six-inch-deep pothole.

Authorities are also exploring the possibility that the fatal incident may have involved another vehicle, potentially implicating rash driving as a contributing factor. The precise cause of death will be ascertained following an autopsy.

This unfortunate event has sparked a jurisdictional dispute between the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) regarding responsibility for repairing the hazardous road.

A PWD official noted previous communications with DMRC urging road repairs, yet conditions remained perilous. Recently, PWD engineers were directed to undertake repairs and charge expenses to DMRC.

Conversely, a DMRC spokesperson asserted that the location of the accident falls beyond their jurisdiction, maintaining there is no obligation for them to address the issue.

Rashid Khan, who lived with his mother, worked at a private firm with a monthly income of approximately Rs 25,000. His family has voiced suspicions of foul play, suggesting potential murder due to alleged threats Khan had received. Additionally, they noted Khan rarely traveled on the route where the incident occurred.

This developing story raises critical questions about road safety and jurisdictional accountability in urban infrastructure maintenance. Authorities continue to investigate all angles of this tragic case.