10-year-old crushed under van, driver absconding

A 10-year-old boy was crushed under a van in southwest Delhi's Palam area on Thursday, triggering violence in the area. A mob vandalised the van and set it afire. Senior police officers said that personnel had to be deployed at the spot to disperse the crowd, which was demanding immediate arrest of the absconding driver.

According to the police, the incident took place at 4.15pm on the Palam-Dabari Road, when a speeding RTV first hit the boy and then ran over him, killing him on the spot. The deceased was identified as Krishna, a resident of Mahavir Enclave. He studied in Class V in a government school. His father works as a tractor driver.

"According to eye-witnesses, the vehicle driver jumped out and fled from the spot. Locals called up the police control room and the child was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. His body has been sent for a post mortem examination and the family has been informed. We are tracing the owner of the vehicle. The driver will be arrested soon," DCP (southwest) Surender Kumar said.

Police are also checking the footage from nearby CCTV cameras to establish the sequence of events. Following the accident, a number of agitated residents, along with family members of the deceased, arrived at the spot and vandalised the van. They also set the vehicle on fire, after which police presence had to be ensured in good number. The personnel were, however, withdrawn after the mob was dispersed.