In the dead of early Saturday, a Mahindra Thar careened off the Delhi‑Gurugram expressway and smashed into a concrete divider, leaving five dead and one critically‑injured. The tragedy unfolded around near Exit 9 of the National Highway, a stretch notorious for high‑speed traffic.
Background on the Expressway and Traffic Patterns
The Delhi‑Gurugram corridor is a vital artery linking the national capital with the fast‑growing corporate hub of Gurugram. On weekdays, it handles over 150,000 vehicles daily, with a significant share of private SUVs racing to beat the morning rush. According to the National Highway Authority, accidents on this stretch have risen by 12% year‑on‑year, a trend many officials blame on inadequate speed‑enforcement and widening lanes that tempt drivers to push limits.
Details of the September 27 Crash
According to a statement from Gurugram Police, the vehicle—a Mahindra Thar registered in Uttar Pradesh—entered the expressway at a speed that far exceeded the posted 80 km/h limit. The SUV struck the central divider head‑on, sending it spiraling across the carriageway for nearly 100 meters before finally coming to rest.
Surveillance footage captured the vehicle swerving wildly just seconds before impact, suggesting the driver lost control on a patch of wet road. Police from Sector 40 arrived within minutes, extricating the occupants and whisking them to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, five of the six victims were pronounced dead on arrival.
The incident was logged as Mahindra Thar crash on Delhi‑Gurugram expresswayDelhi‑Gurugram expressway, Exit 9, a designation that will anchor the ongoing investigation.
Victims and Their Stories
The six occupants hailed from Uttar Pradesh and had travelled to Gurugram for work‑related purposes. Their identities, confirmed by police, are as follows:
- Pratishtha, 25, law student
- Lavanya, 26, law student
- Aditya, 30, advertising professional
- Gautam, 31, advertising professional
- Soni, woman, 28 (exact age not released)
- Kapil Sharma, 27, advertising professional – currently in critical condition
Two of the deceased, Pratishtha and Lavanya, were final‑year students at a law college in Prayagraj. Their families described them as “bright, compassionate” and had been arranging a move to Gurugram for internship opportunities. The three men working in advertising had been on a weekend assignment for a Delhi‑based agency, a fact confirmed by a spokesperson from Creative Sparks Pvt Ltd.
Police Investigation and Legal Implications
Gurugram police spokesperson Inspector Rajesh Kumar told reporters that the vehicle’s registration number pointed to the Aligarh Regional Transport Office (RTO). The owner has been summoned for questioning, and authorities are also probing whether the driver was under the influence or suffered a medical emergency.
“We have already seized the vehicle’s black‑box data, which will tell us the exact speed and braking pattern,” Kumar said. “If negligence is established, the driver could face charges ranging from dangerous driving to culpable homicide.”
Legal experts note that Indian traffic law permits a maximum of three years imprisonment for causing death by reckless driving, though sentences can be harsher if alcohol is involved. The investigation will also examine whether the vehicle’s safety features—such as seat‑belt reminders—were functional.
Road Safety Concerns Involving Mahindra Thar
The Mahindra Thar, a retro‑styled SUV that has become a social‑media darling, has been linked to a string of high‑speed crashes this year. Data from the Delhi Traffic Police show that at least seven fatal incidents involving the model were recorded between January and August 2025, a figure that dwarfs the two recorded for the same period in 2024.
“The Thar’s low ground clearance and powerful engine make it attractive for young drivers who want to feel ‘off‑road’ on a highway,” explains Dr. Ananya Singh, a road‑safety analyst at the Indian Institute of Transport Management. “But the vehicle lacks advanced stability control, which is essential for maintaining grip at high speeds on wet surfaces.”
Just a month before the Delhi‑Gurugram crash, a biker named Rajiv Mehta lost his life after being hit by a speeding Thar in Delhi’s Moti Nagar district. The driver, identified as Amarinder Singh Sodhi, fled the scene, leaving behind a vehicle found with two bottles of alcohol. That case spurred a brief crackdown on under‑the‑influence driving, but enforcement remains spotty.
What Lies Ahead: Policy and Public Response
Following the tragedy, local NGOs have renewed calls for stricter speed‑monitoring on the expressway. The Road Safety India coalition urged the National Highways Authority to install additional radar‑based speed cameras at high‑risk exits, including Exit 9.
Meanwhile, Mahindra & Mahindra released a brief statement saying it “takes safety concerns seriously” and is reviewing its vehicle‑safety features. Critics, however, argue that the company’s response is too vague and lacks concrete measures.
For the families of the victims, the road ahead is a painful mix of grief and legal battles. “We just want answers,” said Soni’s sister, who traveled from Lucknow to attend the funeral. “If the driver broke the law, he must be held accountable.”
As the investigation proceeds, the incident serves as a stark reminder that speed, combined with inadequate safety mechanisms, can turn a routine trip into a life‑altering disaster.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Mahindra Thar to lose control?
Preliminary police findings suggest the driver was traveling well above the 80 km/h limit on a wet section of the expressway. The vehicle’s black‑box data, once analyzed, should confirm the exact speed and whether any sudden braking or steering input contributed to the loss of control.
Who are the victims and what were they doing on the expressway?
The six occupants were a group from Uttar Pradesh traveling to Gurugram for work and internship opportunities. Two were law students, while the remaining four were employed in advertising. They were heading towards Gurugram’s business district when the crash occurred.
What legal repercussions could the driver face?
If the investigation confirms reckless driving, the driver could be charged with dangerous driving causing death, which carries a maximum sentence of three years. Should alcohol or a medical condition be involved, the penalties could be more severe, potentially including longer imprisonment.
Are Mahindra Thar vehicles considered unsafe?
The Thar is not classified as unsafe, but recent data shows a spike in high‑speed accidents involving the model. Experts point to its powerful engine and limited electronic stability controls as factors that make it vulnerable on wet highways when driven excessively fast.
What steps are being taken to improve safety on the Delhi‑Gurugram expressway?
Local NGOs have urged the National Highways Authority to install additional speed‑monitoring cameras, especially near high‑risk exits like Exit 9. The Gurugram police have also pledged a thorough review of enforcement tactics and have started the process of retrieving vehicle data to inform future policy.