Fastag error turns fatal: Man stepping out to clear balance run over by dumper on Delhi–Jaipur Expressway, dragged 200 metre
PTC Web Desk: A 45-year-old man was killed in a shocking accident at the Kherki Daula toll plaza on the Delhi–Jaipur Expressway early Friday after being run over and dragged nearly 200 metre by a dumper truck. The man had stepped out of his vehicle to resolve a Fastag balance issue when the speeding truck crushed him, according to the police.
The victim, identified as Mubin Khan, a resident of Ward No. 7 in Tijara, Alwar, was on his way to drop his friend, Puneet Kumar, at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport for a flight to Bengaluru. Khan left home around dawn, unaware that a minor toll payment delay would cost him his life.
Police officials said that Khan’s Hyundai Aura was stopped when his Fastag failed to deduct the toll of Rs 95 due to insufficient balance. Toll staff instructed him to park ahead and deposit his mobile phone as security before paying a manual toll of Rs 118 through UPI. Although Khan recharged his Fastag with Rs 100, the updated balance didn’t reflect in time.
Just after completing the payment and walking back towards his car, tragedy struck.
“A dumper truck drove into the lane and as soon as the boom barrier opened, the driver accelerated at high speed and ran over Khan. He was dragged for several metre,” said Sandeep Turan, spokesperson for the Gurugram Police. He added that the driver either failed to notice or intentionally fled the scene.
CCTV footage captured the Rajasthan-registered truck fleeing immediately after the incident. The police said efforts are underway to trace and arrest the driver.
The horrifying accident initially went unnoticed even by Khan’s friend sitting in the car. Kumar repeatedly called Khan before deciding to step out and check, only to find a crowd gathered and the news of a fatal accident. Moments later, he identified his friend’s remains.
A senior toll plaza official confirmed that the dumper truck was carrying gravel and exited the lane at high speed. The company has handed over all surveillance video to the police.
Family in shock
Khan’s family rushed to Gurugram as soon as they were informed. Relatives said the police advised them not to view the body due to its condition.
“Khan’s wife fainted multiple times after hearing the news. A doctor had to be called home,” said relative Dilshad Khan.
Mubin, who owned ancestral land and worked in real estate, was the family’s main provider. He is survived by his wife and three children — daughter Muskaan (20) and sons Arman (16) and Asif (17).
Based on a complaint filed by Khan’s brother, an FIR has been registered at the Kherki Daula Police Station under Sections 106 (death due to negligence) and 281 (rash and dangerous driving) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- With inputs from agencies
