A 20-year-old US-based business student, Yashvendra Singh, tragically died in a car crash in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj on Friday. Singh, who had returned to India just ten days prior for a holiday, was killed when his car skidded off a rain-soaked road near Nangal Dewat and overturned into an open drain.
According to reports, a woman traveling with Singh survived the accident after locals and police pulled her to safety. However, Singh remained trapped in the driver's seat and was later pronounced dead at Safdarjung Hospital. Eyewitnesses described desperate attempts to rescue him from the water-filled drain.
Family Alleges Systemic Negligence
Singh's family has vehemently alleged systemic negligence, calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the crash and the emergency response. A family friend highlighted the recurring issue of similar deaths linked to alleged civic negligence across the city, questioning authorities' accountability.
Residents of the Nangal Dewat area have repeatedly complained about the hazardous open drain, broken barriers, potholes, and poor road shoulders that contribute to the stretch's danger. An earlier proposal for speed breakers on Nangal Dewat Road was deemed unfeasible by traffic police. Delhi Police are currently conducting inquest proceedings, with no First Information Report (FIR) registered yet.
Promising Life Cut Short
Yashvendra Singh was a business student at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, where he had been studying for over two years. A national-level basketball player and gold medallist, he had completed his Class 12 education from Sanskriti School in 2024. He came from a military family; his father is an Indian Army brigadier posted in Kolkata. During his holiday, Yashvendra was staying with his maternal grandfather in Delhi, who is undergoing cancer treatment, and had plans to visit his paternal grandfather in Dehradun.
This tragic incident has reignited critical discussions about road safety, infrastructure maintenance, and the effectiveness of emergency services in Delhi, particularly concerning vulnerable road conditions and exposed drainage systems.