NEW DELHI: The father of the minor driver involved in the fatal accident in Dwarka on Feb 3 claimed on Wednesday that his family has been receiving death threats and abusive messages online. He has filed a complaint with police, while his elder son has lodged a separate one at the cybercrime police station.
The man, against whom Delhi Police has filed an FIR for allegedly allowing his 17-year-old son to illegally drive his SUV, told TOI that his family has been living under constant fear because of the "severe threats."
The man, who had told reporters on Tuesday that he was "sorry" and "regretful" for the accident and claimed he was not in Delhi when it happened, said his wife and sons have been repeatedly targeted. "On the day of the crash, many people gathered at the police station to attack my son," he claimed.
In his written complaint, he expressed his sympathy with the victim's family and stated that he had been cooperating in the investigation, before alleging harassment and intimidation. He noted that his son has faced "undue hardship, humiliation, and torture" due to media reports and videos circulating online. He also mentioned his family receiving threats to life and property from unknown numbers, creating a "sense of insecurity".
Separately, his elder son alleged online defamation and impersonation, claiming a fake Instagram account was using his photo and posting vulgar messages.
A new video purportedly shot just after the accident started circulating online on Wednesday. In the footage, a woman, possibly the sister of the minor driver, can be seen attempting to shift the blame on Sahil Dhaneshra, the biker, while bystanders are seen confronting the siblings.
The video, reportedly recorded by a passerby, shows Sahil lying motionless on the roadside and his motorcycle mangled in the middle of the road. The SUV and the cab that it had also hit are seen. It also shows a crowd surrounding the siblings, preventing them from leaving, while the sister defends her brother, claiming Sahil had been speeding. Another clip shows the SUV attempting to leave the scene before two men stop it. Police said they were verifying the authenticity of the videos.
The statements of those involved in the crash and the witnesses have been recorded and a chargesheet will be filed soon, a senior officer said.
Devanshi Mehta is a crime correspondent uncovering Delhi’s unseen...
Read MoreDevanshi Mehta is a crime correspondent uncovering Delhi’s unseen crisis—addiction, systemic violence, and the quiet suffering of women, children, and marginalised communities. Her reporting brings nuance to the headlines, focusing on those forgotten by the system. Through deeply reported stories, she explores the human cost of crime, neglect, and broken justice.
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