Sultanpuri accident: Anjali’s family reject friend’s statement

In her statement to the police, recorded before a magistrate, Nidhi had said that she saw Anjali being dragged away by the car, but fled the spot and did not call for help. She had also alleged that Anjali was drunk and insisted on driving despite being told not to do so

The family of the Sultanpuri accident victim on Wednesday said that Nidhi, the girl who was reportedly with the 20-year-old victim when she got stuck under a car and was dragged away, was spreading lies about her, and maligning her character.

Family members of 20-year-old Anjali Kumari in Sultanpuri in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI)

According to police, Anjali Kumari, 20, and Nidhi, 21, were returning from a party early on Sunday morning on a scooter when a car hit their vehicle. While Nidhi fell by the side, Anjali’s body was entangled in the underside of the car as it drove on for at least two hours, dragging it for at least 14km. Five people who were in the car have been arrested, and may be charged with murder, police said.

In her statement to the police, recorded before a magistrate, Nidhi had said that she saw Anjali being dragged away by the car, but fled the spot and did not call for help. She had also alleged that Anjali was drunk and insisted on driving despite being told not to do so.

Anjali’s mother, Rekha, on Wednesday said that she had never seen or heard about Nidhi. She also rejected the charge that Anjali was drunk, saying she never drank and that Nidhi was lying. “I know some of her friends and Nidhi wasn’t one of them. My daughter never came home drunk. This girl is trying to malign the image of my daughter to save herself because she fled after seeing my daughter die and did not inform police,” Rekha said.

Bhupen Chaurasia, who has been helping the family with the police case and other procedures, said, “All of Nidhi’s claims are fake. So far, the detailed post mortem report has not shown that there was any alcohol in her system.”

“It seems like a conspiracy, and we’ll find about it sooner or later,” he added.

To be sure, a forensic science laboratory official said that Anjali’s post-mortem report doesn’t state if there was alcohol in her body or not. “Viscera from Anjali’s body has been preserved and will be handed over to us for examination. The findings of the viscera examination will reveal if there was alcohol in her system or not,” he said.

The victim’s family also claimed that it was clear if Nidhi was actually with Anjali or not. They said despite being involved in the accident, Nidhi did not suffer any injuries, which seems improbable.

On Wednesday, two CCTV video clips emerged showing Nidhi entering her Sultanpuri residence at 1.38am. This is contrary to another footage that showed the two women leaving a Rohini hotel at 1.31am. However, the person on whose premises the camera is installed claimed that the footage has a lag of 45 minutes. HT could not independently verify the footage. However, a police officer associated with the probe said that they have different CCTV clips showing the two women at the hotel, and their journey towards their home. “Besides, we have statements from guests at the hotel and the friends of the two women. This evidence will be added to the charge sheet,” he said.

Inquiry report awaited

Meanwhile, the report of an inquiry ordered by the Union home ministry into the Sultanpuri accident as well as alleged lapses by the police is pending. The home ministry had ordered the probe by special commissioner Shalini Singh.

Officials aware of the probe said the role of PCR personnel is being investigated to check why the car was not stopped by PCR vans patrolling the area, despite the fact that the police control room received at least four calls between 1.45am and 4.11am.