Former Delhi CM dies in freak road accident

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Incidentally, NH-8, part of the Golden Quadrilateral, recorded a total of 140 accidents in June this year—there were 83 serious injuries and 7 fatalities. According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) figures, as many as 164 accidents occured between Delhi and Jaipur in May 2007. It killed seven and injured 80.

Records say on an average 6,800 fatalities occur annually on Rajasthan's highways.

The accident, which took place near the Shahjahanpur industrial area, some 80 km from Delhi, also claimed the lives of co-passengers: Delhi Councillor Naresh Agarwal and Mr. Verma’s personal security officer Jagroop and car driver Divesh.

The truck driver was also seriously injured.

According to eye-witnesses, the accident took place around 2.30 p.m. when the truck coming from the opposite direction, while attempting to avoid collision with a cyclist which suddenly came in its way, jumped the divider on the six-lane highway and crashed into the Tata Safari, immediately turning it into a twisted heap of metal. The impact instantaneously killed Verma.

Verma was the Chief Minister of Delhi between 1996 and 1998. He was also the Union Labor Minister during the NDA regime.

He is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.

The Delhi government has declared a holiday on Monday for its offices as a mark of respect to the late former chief minister.

But the schools run by the government will continue to function as normal, a Delhi government spokesman said.

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