Delhi woman death by car: Home ministry directs Special Commissioner to probe case

Shalini Singh, a Special Commissioner with Delhi Police, will conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, the ministry said.

Amid widespread outrage over the horrific killing of a woman who was dragged for several kilometres by a car on New Year's Day, the Union home ministry on Monday directed Delhi Police to submit a detailed report on the incident.

**EDS: VIDEO GRAB** New Delhi: Video grab of a car that reportedly hit a woman and dragged her for a few kilometers, in the Sultanpuri area of Delhi, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, which left the woman dead. A day after Delhi police has arrested five accused in this case. (PTI Photo)

According to a ‘most immediate’ note, Shalini Singh, Special Commissioner, Delhi Police, will conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, following which the report will be submitted ‘immediately’ to the home ministry.

The Home ministry's note to Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora

Earlier today, in his first reaction on the gruesome killing, city police commissioner Sanjay Arora assured protesting citizens the force will set an ‘example’ by taking 'strictest legal action' against the five accused. The police have come under fire for allegedly trying to bury the case; the victim's family allege she was sexually assaulted as well, a theory refuted by officials, who say her death was only due to the accident.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which governs Delhi, has claimed one of the accused, Manoj Mittal, is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power at the Centre.

Also, the victim's post-mortem was completed on Monday evening by a panel of three doctors at the Maulana Azad Medical College, and a report is expected soon. Meanwhile, the suspects have been remanded to 3-day police custody.