Distracted By Phone, Minor Mows Down Class 12 Student By Crane In Sonipat

The class 12 girl was mowed down by a crane while she was on her way to school. The crane was being driven by a 16-year-old boy who was using his phone at the time of the incident.

A routine walk to school turned into a fatal tragedy for 17-year-old Monika Kumari, who was struck and killed by a crane allegedly driven by a 16-year-old boy on the Sohna-Palwal road in Haryana's Sonipat on Monday morning.

Monika, a Class 12 student from a village in Nuh, was forced to step off the footpath due to heavy waterlogging from the previous day's rain. As she walked along the roadside near the Silani bus stand around 8:15 AM, but was hit by the crane, which mowed her down, Indian Express reported.

According to Jagjit Kumar, SHO of Sohna Sadar police station, the teenage driver failed to notice Monika in time. "The boy was using his phone and did not notice the victim. Monika avoided the footpath due to waterlogging from Sunday’s rain and was walking on the road," he said.

As per the report, eyewitnesses claim the minor, who had been working for the crane owner for several months, attempted to flee the scene after the accident. However, bystanders quickly apprehended him and handed him over to the police.

Monika was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared her brought dead.

Incident Triggers Protests

Soon after Monika’s death, agitated residents from nearby villages such as Silani and Hasanpur gathered on the Sohna-Palwal road in protest. This delayed the removal of Monika’s body for several hours until 11:00 AM, as the locals continued their demand for justice and accountability.

It wasn't until senior police officials intervened and assured prompt action that the crowd relented. Monika’s body was then sent for a post-mortem examination.

Legal Action and Investigation Underway

Police have registered a case under sections 106 (causing death by negligence) and 281 (rash driving) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the juvenile driver and the crane owner. "We have apprehended the juvenile, and we will make the crane owner join the investigation too soon," added SHO Kumar, as reported by Indian Express.

Authorities confirmed that Monika’s mother, a widow, would receive government compensation. A police spokesperson also noted that Monika’s school bag was recovered and returned to her family.