Manu Bhaker’s grandmom, uncle killed as car rams their scooter

ROHTAK: Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker’s grandmother and maternal uncle died in a road accident in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri district Sunday.

The accident occurred around 9.30am on Mahendragarh bypass road near Charkhi Dadri, where they live.

The tragedy struck Manu Bhaker’s family two days after she was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The ace shooter made history by securing two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics 2024 — one in the women’s 10m air pistol event and another in the 10m pistol mixed event with fellow shooter Sarabjot, becoming the first Indian woman to win two medals in a single Olympics.

Manu’s uncle Yudhvir (50) was on his way to work, with his mother Savitri Devi (70), riding pillion.

He was going to drop her at his brother’s place when a speeding car hit his scooter, barely 150m from their house. Both died on the spot while the car overturned. The driver fled the accident spot. Witnesses said the car was coming from the wrong direction.

Police sent the bodies for autopsy to the civil hospital. Charkhi Dadri police station has registered a case on the complaint of Yudhvir’s son, Satpal. Yudhvir’s brother, Anand, has demanded a thorough investigation into the accident. Investigation officer Suresh Kumar said a probe is on. Yudhvir, a driver with Haryana Roadways, was currently stationed at Dadri bus stand. Originally from Kalali village, he lived in Charkhi Dadri city.

Manu Bhaker is expected to visit Charkhi Dadri soon.