NEW DELHI: A 13-year-old boy riding a bicycle was run over twice by a speeding Mahindra Thar in southwest Delhi’s Vasant Kunj on Wednesday evening, in what witnesses described as a shocking hit-and-run incident. The SUV’s driver, who is yet to be identified, allegedly hit the child from behind, then reversed over him before speeding away.
The victim, identified as Murshid, a Class VIII student, lived in a jhuggi (shanty) near the crash site in Sector C. He was taken to a hospital by neighbours but was declared dead on arrival.
Police said the accident occurred around 4:30 pm near a petrol pump off Mehrauli-Mahipalpur Road, just steps from Murshid’s home. The impact left his bicycle completely mangled. A case has been registered under sections 281 (rash driving) and 106(1) (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station.
Eyewitness Accounts
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and horror.
- Ganesh Mathur (45), who works at the petrol pump, said he heard a loud crash and saw a car speeding away.
- Murada (50), a local vendor, recalled: “I heard kids screaming gala kat gaya, gala kat gaya (his throat is cut). When I ran there, I saw the boy lying face down in a pool of blood.”
- Mahesh Chand (50), a nearby security guard, said, “We later found out the car ran over Murshid twice.”
Some of Murshid’s friends reportedly chased the SUV in an attempt to note down its registration number.
Grieving Family
At the family’s one-room jhuggi, Murshid’s mother Johana (35) wept inconsolably, clutching her son’s blue T-shirt. “We may live in a jhuggi, but his dreams were much bigger. He wanted to be an Army officer,” she said.
Murshid’s father abandoned the family a year ago, and Johana, who suffers from serious health issues linked to fluctuating blood sugar levels, had to quit working as a domestic help. The family survives on about ₹5,000 a month from renting out a few small rooms. Murshid often helped with odd jobs at local shops to support his mother.
“He would massage my legs when I felt weak,” Johana recalled. “He was everything to me.”
Murshid’s elder sister Tarana (18), a Class X student who dreams of becoming an IPS officer, remembered their last conversation. “He had just come home after writing his Hindi paper. He said he wanted to eat samosas with me and stepped out to buy some,” she said softly. “He borrowed a friend’s cycle — but never came back.”
Community Shock and Anger
Neighbours remembered Murshid as a quiet, helpful boy. “He was kind and never fought with anyone,” said Ajmeri (39), a neighbour. Tarana alleged that bystanders filmed the scene instead of helping. “People were watching, making videos — no one came forward,” she said bitterly.
Johana, who moved to the area in 2001, said through tears, “I got a lot in this house, but I also lost a lot here. All I want now is justice — so that I can survive.”
Police are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and said efforts are on to trace the SUV and identify the driver.
