In a tragic road accident that has shaken Gurugram, a 31-year-old civil engineer named Mohit was arrested on Thursday for causing a fatal collision on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. The horrifying incident took place around 3 AM on June 24 near the popular Chanchal Dhaba, when Mohit, reportedly exhausted after a long day, fell asleep while driving his car. His vehicle, a white Skoda, rammed into two young men, killing one and injuring the other.
The deceased has been identified as Harsh Singhal, a promising law student and resident of Om Vihar, Sector 23, Gurugram. His friend Abhishek Kumar sustained injuries but is currently in a stable condition. The accident, caught on CCTV, has gone viral, sparking public outrage and igniting discussions about the dangers of sleep-deprived driving.
Harsh Singhal: A Promising Life Cut Short
Harsh Singhal, a bright and ambitious youth, was studying LLB at a reputed law college in Gurugram. Known among peers for his passion for justice and sharp intellect, Harsh had big dreams of entering the judiciary and making a difference. On the night of the incident, he had reached Chanchal Dhaba with his close friend Moksh on a motorcycle. Due to the heavy rush at the eatery, they had to wait for their turn.
While waiting, Harsh ran into his old friend Abhishek Kumar. The two decided to catch up and stood near the railing of the service lane, just a few steps away from the main road. Their brief and casual chat, however, ended in tragedy within minutes.
The Moment of Impact: Caught on Camera
The entire accident was recorded by a nearby CCTV camera, which showed Mohit’s Skoda car speeding uncontrollably down the highway. The vehicle suddenly veered off the lane, climbed onto the side, and ploughed into Harsh and Abhishek. Both were violently flung around 10 meters away from the point of contact. The force of the crash was so intense that Harsh died on the spot.
The driver, instead of stopping, fled the scene, speeding off into the night as stunned bystanders screamed in panic. Some attempted to chase the vehicle, but Mohit managed to escape. Harsh and Abhishek were rushed to a nearby hospital, but Harsh was declared brought dead, while Abhishek was treated for serious injuries and later moved to a general ward.
Driver Identified as Exhausted Civil Engineer
Police investigations revealed that the accused, Mohit, was working as a civil engineer in a private firm. He was staying at a rented PG accommodation in Noorpur Bohra Kalan village, located in Gurugram’s Sector 14. According to statements made to the police and quoted by news agency PTI, Mohit had been working long hours and was on his way back to his PG after a late-night site inspection.
He confessed to the police that he fell asleep behind the wheel, losing control of the vehicle. Speaking to NDTV, Gurugram Police spokesperson Sandeep confirmed that fatigue was the direct cause of the incident. Mohit admitted he had not slept in almost 24 hours and was feeling extremely drowsy while driving.
A Friend’s Painful Memory: “It Happened in a Split Second”
Harsh’s friend Moksh, who was present at the scene, shared his traumatic account of the accident. He told reporters, “We had just arrived and were waiting for our turn. Harsh and Abhishek were standing near the railing, laughing and chatting. Suddenly, out of nowhere, this car came at full speed and hit them. It happened in a split second. I couldn’t even react.”
Moksh’s voice trembled as he remembered the moments that followed—the screams, the chaos, the blood, and the overwhelming helplessness. He, like many others, is struggling to come to terms with the sudden and senseless loss.
Police Take Swift Action Based on CCTV Clues
The Gurugram Police acted quickly. Using the CCTV footage, they were able to track down the vehicle and its registration number. Within hours, they located Mohit and took him into custody. The white Skoda involved in the accident was also seized.
According to a senior officer, Mohit has been booked under Section 304A (causing death by negligence) and Section 279 (rash driving) of the Indian Penal Code. He is currently under judicial custody and is likely to be produced in court soon. If convicted, he could face up to two years in prison, along with the suspension of his driving license and other penalties.
Public Outrage and National Attention
The incident has triggered massive outrage, not just in Gurugram but across the country. On social media platforms, #JusticeForHarsh, #GurugramAccident, and #SleepDrivingKills started trending within hours. Thousands of people have shared the CCTV video, demanding stricter enforcement of road safety laws and harsh punishment for reckless drivers.
Citizens are calling for awareness campaigns about the dangers of driving without rest, and for companies to take responsibility for employees who work long shifts. Netizens have pointed out that fatigue driving is as dangerous as drunk driving, yet it continues to go unnoticed in India’s road safety conversation.
Law Student’s Family Demands Justice
The untimely death of Harsh has shattered his family. His parents, both retired government employees, are inconsolable. Speaking to reporters with tears in his eyes, Harsh’s father said, “He was our only child. He had just begun his journey. He wanted to be a judge and serve justice. Now, he has become a victim of injustice. We want the strictest punishment for the man who killed our son.”
The family’s neighbors and friends gathered outside their home in Om Vihar to pay tribute to Harsh. His classmates and college faculty held a candlelight vigil to honor his memory and raise awareness about road safety.
Experts Sound Alarm on Fatigue Driving
Several road safety experts have spoken out after the incident, emphasizing that driver fatigue is a major cause of road accidents. Dr. Niharika Sharma, a sleep specialist, explained that when someone hasn’t slept properly, their reflexes slow down, concentration drops, and they are more likely to experience microsleep episodes—moments of sleep that last just a few seconds, but are long enough to cause tragedy on the road.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, nearly 15% of fatal road accidents in India are directly linked to driver fatigue, especially among professionals in construction, transport, and healthcare sectors.
The Call for Stronger Laws and Awareness
Advocates and legal experts are now demanding the introduction of new laws that recognize sleep-deprived driving as criminal negligence. Many countries, including the USA and Australia, have legal provisions for punishing fatigue-related driving offenses. Experts argue that India needs to take urgent action to address this growing threat.
Advocate Ravi Mehta, a senior criminal lawyer, remarked, “We have laws for drunk driving, but nothing for sleepy driving. This incident should be a wake-up call. Driving is not a right—it is a responsibility. When you sleep while driving, you’re playing with people’s lives.”
A Life Lost, a Lesson for Millions
Harsh Singhal’s death is not just a personal tragedy for his family—it is a symbol of a systemic issue that endangers millions of Indians every day. The lack of rest, high work pressure, and a casual attitude towards road safety continue to claim innocent lives.
As Abhishek Kumar recovers, the country waits for justice. People are not only mourning the loss of a bright young man but also calling for a change in mindset, policies, and enforcement when it comes to driving under fatigue.
The road to justice for Harsh will be long, but the movement his story has sparked may help prevent other young lives from being lost to recklessness and exhaustion. It is time India recognizes fatigue as a fatal risk, and every driver understands the weight of their responsibility behind the wheel.
