Remembering Navjot Singh, Dedicated Official and Family Man
Navjot Singh, 56, was a respected senior official in India’s finance ministry and a devoted family man. On September 14, 2025, his ordinary Sunday afternoon ended in tragedy near Delhi’s Dhaula Kuan intersection. Riding his motorcycle with his wife, Sandeep Kaur, Singh was hit by a speeding BMW SUV, driven by Gaganpreet Makkad. The collision caused a devastating overturn of the BMW and instantly took Singh’s life, leaving his wife critically injured.
Navjot’s family describes him as a cautious rider and a pillar of support. His elderly father, a retired Air Force officer, said, “He was too careful, always alert on the road. Yet, we have lost him.” The finance ministry has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a valued colleague whose professional contributions were significant and who was awaiting promotion.
Witness Recollections: Chaos on the Busy Ring Road
Eyewitnesses reported that the BMW was moving at considerable speed, losing control and crashing violently into the motorcycle. The impact pushed the victims into oncoming traffic, where the motorcycle collided with a DTC bus. The BMW then flipped onto its side, trapping the driver momentarily until bystanders helped pull her out.
The crash scene was chaotic. Critics have questioned the delay in emergency response, stating at least one ambulance refused to stop at the accident site. Multiple witnesses confirmed the confusion and slowed response, which tragically worsened the situation for the victims.
Controversy Surrounding Hospital Choice Deepens Investigation
Perhaps the most controversial detail of the case is the choice of hospital. Instead of transporting the injured to nearby trauma centers—such as AIIMS (approximately 12 km away) or Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital (7.8 km away)—the BMW driver took Navjot and Sandeep to Nuelife Hospital in GTB Nagar, about 19 km from the accident site.
What has raised eyebrows is that this hospital is reportedly owned by relatives of the accused driver, and investigation is ongoing into possible tampering of medical evidence. Police have seized hospital records and are probing whether the choice to bypass closer hospitals may have contributed to the fatal outcome for Navjot. The victim’s family and public voices alike have urged full transparency.
Legal Proceedings: Bail Denied, Charges Under Scrutiny
Gaganpreet Makkad was arrested and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, rash and negligent driving, and destruction/tampering of evidence. Her bail plea was rejected by the Delhi court, which has extended her judicial custody till September 27.
In court, her lawyer argued there was no intent to harm and highlighted the delayed filing of the FIR by over 10 hours—raising questions about the investigation’s timeline. Makkad’s husband told police he was unaware of how the accident happened and learned about it only after being informed by his wife.
The state maintains the seriousness of the allegations, emphasizing the reckless driving and suspicious medical decisions. The ongoing legal battle is closely followed by the public and media.
Family’s Pain and Public Outcry: Calls for Reform
Navjot’s son, Navnoor Singh, has publicly accused the accused driver of unnecessarily endangering his parents by bypassing nearer hospitals, arguing that swift medical care could have saved his father’s life. The family home in West Delhi remains filled with mourning relatives and friends demanding justice.
The incident has sparked a larger conversation about Delhi’s road safety challenges, emergency care infrastructure, and enforcement of traffic laws. With over 5,000 road accidents annually, the city grapples with high speeds, congested roads, and insufficient accident response.
What Delhi Must Do Now: Lessons from a Heartbreaking Tragedy
This sorrowful loss urges Delhi’s administration to:
- Strengthen monitoring and enforcement of traffic regulations, especially reckless driving
- Improve ambulance and emergency trauma response to ensure immediate help
- Establish transparent mechanisms to investigate accidents and safeguard victim rights
- Invest in public road safety awareness campaigns and infrastructure upgrades
Delhi’s citizens and officials alike hope that this tragic accident leads to real change, preventing future families from experiencing similar heartbreak.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who was Navjot Singh?
Navjot Singh was a 52-year-old Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs under India’s Ministry of Finance. He was a respected civil servant and a devoted family man, married to Sandeep Kaur. Singh was known for professionalism and dedication, having represented India in international economic forums.
What exactly happened in the BMW crash?
On September 14, 2025, near Delhi’s Dhaula Kuan intersection, Navjot Singh and his wife were riding their motorcycle home after visiting Bangla Sahib Gurdwara. Their motorcycle was hit by a BMW X5 driven by Gaganpreet Makkad. The impact caused the BMW to overturn and resulted in Navjot Singh’s immediate death while his wife sustained severe injuries.
Who is the accused and what charges does she face?
The accused is Gaganpreet Makkad, the driver of the BMW at the time of the accident. She faces charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, rash and negligent driving, and tampering with evidence. She remains in judicial custody following bail denial, pending investigation.
Why was the FIR filed late?
Police investigations revealed that the First Information Report (FIR) was registered approximately 10 hours after the accident occurred. The defense cited this delay as a concern over procedural lapses, but the prosecution maintains the gravity of charges based on evidence and eyewitness accounts.
Why is there controversy over which hospital the victims were taken to?
Instead of taking Navjot Singh and his wife to the closest trauma centers like AIIMS or Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, the accused took them to Nuelife Hospital in GTB Nagar, nearly 19 km away. The hospital is reportedly co-owned by family members of the accused, which has led to suspicions about evidence tampering and questions about whether the medical response was appropriately timely and impartial.
Was alcohol involved in the accident?
Blood reports confirmed that Gaganpreet Makkad was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Therefore, intoxication was ruled out as a factor in the accident.
What has the family said about the incident?
The family is deeply grieving and has publicly raised concerns over the medical treatment and hospital choice, emphasizing that faster medical intervention might have saved Navjot Singh. His son, Navnoor Singh, has questioned why the victims were not taken to a nearby hospital and criticized emergency response delays.
What is the current legal status of the accused?
Gaganpreet Makkad’s bail application was denied by a Delhi court, and her judicial custody has been extended at least until September 27. Investigations, including forensic analysis and evidence preservation (like CCTV footage), are ongoing.
How common are such accidents in Delhi?
Delhi witnesses over 5,000 road accidents annually, with several hotspots noted for high traffic and frequent crashes including Dhaula Kuan. Reckless driving, poor enforcement, and delayed emergency responses contribute to the city’s high accident rates.
What reforms are being called for following this tragedy?
The public and experts call for stricter traffic law enforcement, comprehensive emergency trauma response systems, better road safety infrastructure, and transparency in investigations to prevent such incidents in the future and to improve victim assistance.