NEW DELHI: The truck that fatally hit two cousins on Ashoka Road in central Delhi had been granted “special permission” by Delhi Traffic Police to operate before no-entry hours for the collection of horticultural waste in the area. Such permissions are processed and approved by the DTP headquarters in west Delhi’s Todapur, a senior police officer said.However, police sources pointed out that the offending vehicle had accumulated at least five challans, raising serious questions about how it qualified for the exemption. “As per norms, vehicles with three or more challans are generally not considered eligible for these permissions,” said a source.The sources said the vehicle had been issued a one-year permit, valid until Dec 2026, allowing it to operate during restricted hours for specific municipal purposes, such as debris collection and garbage removal. They added that on the day of the incident, debris from the Jeevan Tara building on Ashoka Road was also being cleared.Asked how the vehicle was cleared despite multiple violations, a senior officer said at the time of application, it may have had only three challans on record.The remaining challans, he suggested, may have been registered after the permit had already been issued and the vehicle had begun operating under the exemption.Ashoka Road accident: No arrest made so far, raids on in BiharIn light of the incident and the vehicle’s violation history, the special permission granted to the truck is now set to be cancelled,” the officer added.No arrests have been made in the case so far. Police said the driver’s last known location has been traced to Bihar and raids are currently being conducted there to locate and apprehend him.The incident took place on Monday when cousins Yagya and Abhav Bhatia were returning home after watching an IPL match. As they reached Ashoka Road, they were hit by the truck, resulting in their deaths.The family of the victims have alleged that they have not been adequately informed about the progress of the investigation. They claimed that despite repeated attempts to seek clarity, there has been little official communication regarding key developments in the case.“We have not been given any clear updates about what the police have found so far. It has been nearly a week and there is still no arrest,” said Ravi Bhatia, a relative of the victims. He added that the situation has left the entire family devastated.Bhatia said that the two cousins were the only children of their parents. “The absence of any concrete progress in the investigation has only deepened their grief, as the family continues to wait for answers and accountability,” he added.
