Abhav Bhatia’s last words to his father were simple—he was on his way home.
The 14-year-old had gone to watch Monday’s IPL match between Delhi and Bengaluru and was returning on a bike with his 20-year-old cousin, Yagya. As they crossed Ashoka Road, Abhav called his father, Sumit, to inform him he would be home soon.
Tragedy struck while the call was still ongoing. A truck rammed into their bike from behind, causing the phone to slip from Abhav’s hand. The line suddenly went silent. Moments later, a stranger picked up the phone and delivered the devastating news—his son had met with an accident.
Police said they received information about the incident around 10:30 pm on Monday and found both victims lying unconscious on the road in critical condition. They were rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma said.
The truck driver fled the scene immediately after the accident.
Abhav was a Class 10 student at Hansraj School, while Yagya was pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at Swami Vivekananda University.
According to police, the cousins were returning home after watching the IPL match when a speeding truck hit their two-wheeler from behind. Neither of them was wearing a helmet at the time.
A family member told PTI that the impact was extremely severe. “The younger boy was speaking to his father when the call suddenly went silent. Soon after, someone else answered and informed us about the accident,” he said, adding that the family is demanding strict action against the accused.
Eyewitnesses said the collision was so forceful that both victims and their bike were thrown onto the road. Passersby alerted the police and helped shift them to the hospital, but their lives could not be saved.
The district crime team and forensic experts later visited the spot and collected evidence. A case has been registered based on eyewitness statements.
Police said the truck was later traced to the trans-Yamuna area, where it had been abandoned by the driver. The vehicle, which was carrying debris, has been seized, and efforts are underway to arrest the absconding driver. The case is being investigated as a hit-and-run incident. (Agency)
