Two MLAs Injured As Car Crashes Into SUV At Delhi’s ITO Divider
Two MLAs, Anil Jha and Abhay Patil, were among six injured after a Swift hit divider and collided with Innova.
Two MLAs Injured As Car Crashes Into SUV At Delhi’s ITO Divider
Two MLAs were among six people injured after a road accident near Delhi’s ITO on the night of August 22, police said. The collision took place near the PWD office at around 9.30 pm, when a Swift car travelling from Laxmi Nagar towards ITO hit a road divider, crossed the railing and collided with an Innova approaching from the opposite direction.
The injured legislators were Delhi AAP MLA Anil Jha, who represents the Kirari constituency, and Karnataka BJP MLA Abhay Patil. The other injured people were identified as 32-year-old Ashutosh Pandey, his wife and their two minor children, who were travelling in the Swift.
According to preliminary information from Delhi Police, the Swift first struck the divider before crossing the railing and entering the opposite side of the road. It then crashed into the Innova carrying the two legislators. The exact reason why the driver lost control and hit the divider has not yet been established.
A chaotic night at busy ITO intersection
A PCR call regarding the accident was received at the IP Estate police station at approximately 9.30 pm. Police personnel reached the location and found the two damaged vehicles following the collision. The impact caused significant damage to the front sections of both cars and scattered debris across the road.
The Swift was reportedly travelling from the Laxmi Nagar side towards ITO when it struck the divider. After crossing the railing, the vehicle moved into the path of the Innova. Investigators are examining the circumstances that caused the Swift to lose control.
The accident occurred at a busy central Delhi intersection, where traffic movement remains heavy, particularly during evening hours. The presence of a divider and railing prevented the Swift from remaining on its original side of the carriageway after the initial impact, resulting in the collision with the oncoming vehicle.
Emergency response and hospitalisation
Emergency services were called to the scene after a possible CNG leak was reported from one of the vehicles. Firefighters attended the location and checked the vehicles as police secured the accident site.
Police subsequently removed the damaged vehicles and cleared the road. Officers also began a preliminary investigation to establish how the accident occurred and whether factors such as speed, driver error, road conditions or another issue contributed to the crash.
All six people involved in the accident sustained minor injuries. They were taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, commonly known as LNJP Hospital, for medical treatment. Doctors reported that all the injured people were stable and that none had suffered life-threatening injuries.
The condition of the two MLAs also remained stable following the crash. Their hospitalisation attracted attention because both are elected representatives from different states and political parties.
Political figures among those injured
Anil Jha is a sitting Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Delhi’s Kirari constituency. Abhay Patil is a BJP legislator from Karnataka. News of their involvement in the accident prompted colleagues and party workers to check on their condition after the collision.
The incident did not result in any reported fatalities, and the stable condition of all six injured people provided relief to their families, colleagues and supporters. The accident nevertheless highlighted the potential dangers at major road intersections in the capital.
Police have yet to confirm why the Swift struck the divider in the first place. Investigators are expected to examine the vehicles, road layout and other available evidence as part of their inquiry.
- Accident location: The crash occurred near the PWD office at Delhi’s ITO on August 22 night.
- Time of accident: Police received the PCR call at approximately 9.30 pm.
- Vehicles involved: A Swift and an Innova collided after the Swift crossed the road divider.
- Injured MLAs: Delhi AAP MLA Anil Jha and Karnataka BJP MLA Abhay Patil were among those injured.
- Other injured: Swift driver Ashutosh Pandey, his wife and their two minor children were also hurt.
- Medical condition: All six suffered minor injuries and were reported to be stable at LNJP Hospital.
- Emergency response: Firefighters responded after a possible CNG leak was reported.
- Police action: Authorities removed the damaged vehicles and started a preliminary investigation.
- Cause under probe: Police have not yet established why the Swift lost control and struck the divider.
- Road safety concern: The crash has renewed concerns over divider breaches and safety at busy central Delhi intersections. Road safety concerns
The accident has also renewed concerns about road safety at busy intersections across central Delhi. ITO is one of the capital’s major traffic hubs, connecting several important routes and carrying large volumes of vehicles throughout the day.
A vehicle hitting a divider can create serious risks, particularly when it crosses into the opposite carriageway. In this case, the Swift crossed the railing and collided with a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction, turning what began as a single-vehicle impact into a two-vehicle crash.
Authorities have not indicated whether speeding, mechanical failure, road conditions or another factor caused the Swift to lose control. The preliminary investigation will be important in determining the precise sequence of events.
For now, police are continuing to examine the accident and the circumstances surrounding the divider impact. With all six injured people reported to be stable and no deaths recorded, attention remains focused on their recovery and on establishing what caused the crash.