‘Drunk’ youth crashes into Delhi’s Mandi House roundabout, car catches fire

Police said Kartikeya, son of a Delhi businessman, was returning home after a party at Shangri-La hotel. He was allegedly drunk and speeding when his car crashed into the roundabout and caught fire.

A 21-year-old “inebriated” man had a miraculous escape when the sedan he was driving, allegedly at a high speed, caught fire after he lost control and rammed the boundary wall of Mandi House roundabout park in central Delhi.

Police said the driver, Kartikeya, somehow managed to get out of the Maruti Ciaz sedan soon after the car hit the park’s boundary wall. (Arvind Yadav / HT Photo)

Police said the driver, Kartikeya, somehow managed to get out of the Maruti Ciaz sedan soon after the car hit the park’s boundary wall and he noticed smoke billowing out from the front portion of his vehicle. The accident took place at around 4am. One fire tender was pressed into service to douse the flames.

BK Singh, deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi), said the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. “A case under relevant sections of the IPC and motor vehicle act is being registered against the errant driver. Action will be taken as per law,” said the DCP.

Kartikeya, an investigator said, was returning to his East Krishna Nagar home after partying at Shangri-La hotel in central Delhi. He was driving alone when he lost control of the speeding car and it crashed straight into the roundabout boundary wall and entered the park. “Kartikeya has told us that he doesn’t remember how the accident occurred,” the officer said adding Kartikeya received minor injuries in the accident.

The car is registered in the name of Kartikeya’s father Roop Chand, who runs a medical store in East Krishna Nagar, the officer added.