New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of Gaganpreet Makkad, the driver of the BMW involved in the fatal crash that killed Navjot Singh, deputy secretary in the Finance Ministry. The court extended her judicial custody until September 27, with the next bail hearing listed for Saturday.
Bail plea rejected
Makkad, arrested on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, had filed a bail application on Tuesday. Her petition argued that she had no intent to cause harm, was not negligent, and posed neither a flight risk nor a threat to evidence. She further claimed custodial interrogation was unnecessary, as she had cooperated with investigators.
The court, however, refused immediate relief and issued a notice to the prosecution. It also directed Tihar jail authorities to ensure she receives proper medical care while in custody.
Police confirmed that her blood samples tested negative for alcohol, ruling out drunk driving.
The fatal accident
The incident occurred on Sunday near Delhi Cantt Metro Station on Ring Road. Singh, 57, and his wife Sandeep Kaur were returning from a gurudwara on their two-wheeler when Makkad’s BMW rammed into them. Singh died on the spot, while Kaur sustained serious injuries and remains hospitalised in Dwarka.
Following the crash, Makkad drove the injured couple to Nulife Hospital in GTB Nagar, located 22 km away, despite several closer medical facilities. Police later revealed that the hospital is run by her relatives, raising further questions about her actions after the accident.
Family and investigation
Singh’s body was handed over to his family after the post-mortem. Witnesses said Kaur broke down upon seeing her husband’s body for the last time.
Meanwhile, police are corroborating the statement of Makkad’s husband, Parikshit, who claimed he was unaware of how the accident occurred and only learnt of it when his wife called to inform him that she was taking the victims to the hospital.
Next steps
With the bail hearing scheduled for Saturday, investigators are continuing to examine the sequence of events, including whether Makkad’s decision to transport the victims to a hospital far from the accident site was deliberate.