Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI/PANAJI: A day after Goa Police identified 19-year-old BBA student Shaurya Goyal as the driver of the Mahindra Thar involved in the fatal Assagao crash, neighbours and friends in south Delhi’s Hauz Khas described him as a reserved youngster “focused on academics” and someone who “rarely drove”. Police said Goyal, a resident of south Delhi and a second-year BBA student at a private university near the capital, was behind the wheel when the Thar allegedly lost control and collided with a Hyundai i20 on Monday evening. The accident claimed the life of 65-year-old Bhopal tourist Bhagat Ram Sharma. An FIR was registered by Anjuna Police for causing death by negligence and rash driving. Goyal was arrested and later released on bail.
‘Mostly kept to himself’
At Y Block in Hauz Khas, residents recalled Goyal as a “quiet teenager” who largely kept to himself. “He was serious about his studies and usually came home on weekends,” said a neighbour. Another resident added, “I’ve seen him drive occasionally, but generally he took a cab for commuting.” Goyal is the elder of two siblings. His family is engaged in the jewellery business, while his younger sister is a school student.
Friends reject ‘seat-switching’ claims
A childhood friend said the 19-year-old was “extremely disturbed” by the developments following the crash. “We studied in the same school and grew up together. He has always been academically inclined. Many things circulating online — especially claims about seat-switching — are not true,” the friend said.
Police dismiss ‘woman driving’ speculation
While some eyewitnesses initially claimed a young woman was driving the Thar, Goa Police denied the assertion. “No witness told us that a girl was driving. CCTV footage clearly shows Shaurya Goyal at the wheel,” Anjuna Police Inspector Suraj Gawas said, adding that anyone with contrary information could approach investigators.
Crash details
According to police, the collision occurred around 5.50 pm near a junction in Assagao when the Thar, travelling from Mapusa towards Anjuna, allegedly went out of control and rammed into Sharma’s Hyundai i20 coming from the opposite direction. Sharma was rushed to the District Hospital in Mapusa and declared brought dead. His wife, Leela Sharma (59), sustained a leg fracture, while a three-month-old infant in the vehicle suffered minor injuries. Goyal’s medical examination ruled out alcohol consumption at the time of the accident. The investigation is being handled by PSI Saish Kinlekar.
Shock in Bhopal
Back in Bhopal’s Sundar Nagar, neighbours of Sharma expressed disbelief. “He and his wife had visited just days ago. We still can’t believe this,” said a long-time acquaintance. Sharma, who ran a TV repair business, is survived by his wife and three children, all IT professionals based in Delhi. With the legal proceedings underway in Goa, police said further investigation into the circumstances of the crash is continuing.
