Delhi BMW Crash: Woman Driver Sent to 2-Day Custody

A tragic road accident in Delhi's Dhaula Kuan area has led to the death of a senior Finance Ministry official, Navjot Singh, and serious injuries to his wife, raising concerns and questions about the events that followed the crash and the legal proceedings against the accused driver. The woman driving the BMW, Gaganpreet Kaur Makkad, was remanded to two days' judicial custody by a Delhi court on Monday after being arrested by the police.

On Sunday afternoon, September 14, 2025, Navjot Singh, the 52-year-old Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, was returning home on his motorcycle with his wife, Sandeep Kaur, after visiting the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara. Their motorcycle was struck by a BMW allegedly driven by 38-year-old Gaganpreet Kaur Makkad near Dhaula Kuan, resulting in Navjot Singh’s death and serious injuries to his wife.

The police registered an FIR against Gaganpreet on serious charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and causing disappearance of evidence. Gaganpreet was arrested after being discharged from the hospital where she had been treated for minor injuries from the accident. The court, after hearing the matter, sent her to judicial custody for two days, with bail pleas to be heard later this week.

One significant point of controversy following the accident was the hospital to which the injured were taken. Instead of being taken to the nearest hospital, the victims were reportedly taken to Nulife Hospital in GTB Nagar, which is approximately 19 kilometers away from the accident site. This hospital is tied to the family of the accused driver, leading to allegations of conflict of interest and questions on whether proper medical care was immediately provided.

The victim's family publicly alleged that Gaganpreet and her husband received treatment at the hospital before Navjot Singh and his critically injured wife, raising concerns over priority and medical response. The family recounts that despite the serious condition of Sandeep Kaur, she was initially kept in the lobby while a patient with minor injuries was admitted to a room. Later, she was shifted to another hospital on request.

Gaganpreet told the police she panicked after the accident and drove to the hospital she was familiar with because her children had been treated there during the COVID-19 pandemic. She claimed not to recall how the accident exactly happened but said that when the public pulled her out of the car, she saw the injured and deceased on the road.

Her defense lawyer highlighted inconsistencies and contradictions in the FIR and police statements. He contended that there was no immediate need for her arrest since she was already under hospital care and that police custody was not even requested initially. The court considered these arguments but maintained judicial custody.

This accident and the subsequent legal and medical controversies shine a light on broader issues in road safety, emergency response, and judicial processes. Fatal road accidents involving negligent or reckless driving continue to be a serious problem in Indian cities. They not only cause loss of life and injury but also deepen mistrust in how accident aftermaths are handled if families feel justice or medical care is compromised.

The case also underlines concerns about transparency and conflict of interest in emergency medical response. Allegations that the victims were not taken to the nearest medical facility and that the accused's family had links to the hospital add complex layers that demand thorough investigation. This situation calls for clear guidelines and strict adherence to protocols in handling accident victims to ensure impartial and timely care.

In terms of the judicial process, the incident shows the importance of speedy but fair trials in sensitive cases. The judiciary must balance ensuring thorough investigation with safeguarding the rights of the accused. The two-day judicial custody of Gaganpreet allows police to continue their probe, including clarifying details about the accident and hospital handling.

The Delhi BMW crash resulting in the death of Navjot Singh is a tragic event that highlights multiple social and systemic challenges—from road safety to emergency medical services and legal accountability. Ongoing investigations and court proceedings will hopefully bring clarity and justice. Meanwhile, it serves as a reminder of the vital need for responsible driving, transparent medical protocols, and judicial diligence to prevent such tragedies and ensure trust in public safety mechanisms.

This incident is still unfolding, and many questions remain about the exact causes and sequence of events. Continued media coverage and official updates will be essential to inform the public and uphold justice fairly and transparently for all involved.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies