Woman dies, 2 in critical condition due to fire in e-rickshaw

New Delhi (IANS). A woman died while two others sustained serious burns when an e-rickshaw caught fire in north-east Delhi. An official gave this information on Saturday.

The incident took place near ESI Dispensary in Nand Nagri in the early hours of Thursday. Police suspect the battery of the e-rickshaw to be faulty behind the incident.

The injured were identified as Pushparaj, 45, who suffered 85 per cent burns, and Gaurav, 28, who suffered 40 per cent burns, officials said.

Pushparaj’s wife Omi Devi, who suffered 95 percent burns, died during treatment.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-East) Joy Tirkey said that on Thursday they received information from GTB Hospital about three people who sustained burn injuries after being trapped inside a burning e-rickshaw.

The DCP said, “It was found that the three e-rickshaw riders were going from Mandoli Chungi towards Shahdara in a battery operated e-rickshaw. When they reached near ESI dispensary in D Block of Nand Nagri, smoke started coming out from the e-rickshaw.”

When the passengers alerted the driver, he immediately left the rickshaw and ran away. Before the passengers could escape, the e-rickshaw started burning.

The DCP said, “The SDM of the area was informed, and the statements of the victims were recorded in his presence. A case was registered under sections 285, 287 and 337 of the Indian Penal Code at Nand Nagari police station and the accused driver Ratan Lal A case was registered against. A resident of Mandoli village was arrested in this connection.

“Also, on Friday, Omi Devi, who suffered 95 per cent burn injuries, succumbed to her injuries in the hospital. Section 304A of the IPC was added in the case,” the DCP said.

“The same day, Pushparaj was shifted from GTB hospital to AIIMS. The cause of the fire appears to be the faulty battery of the e-rickshaw,” the DCP said.