A petty disagreement over a reserved seat inside a Delhi Metro coach took a tragic turn after a 48-year-old commuter succumbed to injuries sustained during a violent physical scuffle. The victim, identified as Pawan Sharma, passed away during treatment at LNJP Hospital following an altercation that took place inside a train at the Supreme Court Metro Station on October 8. Acting on a formal complaint filed by the victim's mother, authorities have registered a first information report naming two individuals under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Dispute Began Over Senior Citizen Seating
The confrontation unfolded when Pawan Sharma was travelling on the metro network alongside his elderly mother, Durga Sharma. Both were seated on seats designated for senior citizens when the train arrived at the Supreme Court Metro Station platform. At that stop, two passengers boarded the coach: an elderly man accompanied by a younger companion.
According to the official complaint, the two individuals who entered the coach immediately began addressing the mother and son in a rude, aggressive manner, demanding that they vacate the seats at once. Seeking to de-escalate the hostile tone, Pawan requested them not to speak disrespectfully, stating that they were prepared to give up the seat. However, while standing up from the bench, Pawan made a passing remark, saying that they could now travel while lying down. That retort triggered an immediate violent physical reaction.
Assault Led to Severe Head Trauma on the Coach Floor
The details outlined in the police complaint state that the elderly passenger reacted by grabbing Pawan by the collar and striking him across the face with a hard slap. When Pawan attempted to resist the unprovoked assault, the accompanying younger man seized him by the neck and punched him repeatedly in the chest. During the scuffle, Pawan was shoved with force, causing him to collapse heavily onto the metallic floor of the metro train.
The impact against the coach floor inflicted severe trauma to Pawan's head, rendering him unconscious immediately. Metro station operational staff quickly intervened and arranged an ambulance to rush the injured passenger to LNJP Hospital for critical medical intervention. Despite emergency medical care, he ultimately succumbed to the trauma sustained during the clash.
Former Bureaucrat and Advocate Son Named in Complaint
Following her son's demise, Durga Sharma approached the Supreme Court Metro police station to lodge an official complaint detailing the entire timeline of the fatal brawl. Based on her statement, police registered an FIR under Section 105(3)(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against Sanjay Pratap Singh and his son, Siddharth Singh.
Background details established in the case reveal that Sanjay Pratap Singh is a former senior Indian Administrative Service officer. During his bureaucratic tenure, he had previously faced serious corruption proceedings and was caught red-handed accepting a bribe by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Subsequent official investigations into his financial dealings had uncovered assets valued at over Rs 100 crore. His son and co-accused, Siddharth Singh, is an advocate practising in the Supreme Court.
Unusual Incidents Recorded Across the Transit Network
The transit system in the national capital has occasionally witnessed disturbing and unusual episodes on station premises. In a separate previous incident at Inderlok Metro Station, panic ensued after a male corpse was found hanging inside the ladies' restroom facilities. The deceased individual was subsequently identified as the restroom's 40-year-old caretaker. Investigating police officers suspected that the man had died nearly two days prior to the discovery, as decomposition and foul odour had already begun spreading by the time the body was located. The latest fatal confrontation at Supreme Court station has underscored severe concerns over transit security and passenger conduct.
