Anger spilled on to the streets as Anuj’s friends protested police inaction.

Mrigank Srivastav (29), who was also injured in the accident, is still in hospital. One of Anuj’s closest friends, Mrigank inquires about him whenever he regains consciousness. He has not been informed of his death as his condition is critical. “He won’t be able to take it. He is in great pain since yesterday. Whenever he opens his eyes, he asks for Anuj,” said Rahul Gupta, a close family friend.

Anuj died around 4.30 am. While family members had been waiting at the hospital, around 50 of his friends, most of them journalists, reached the hospital. Kshitij, Anuj’s elder brother, fainted on hearing the news.

Not satisfied with police action against BMW driver Utsav Bhasin (19), Anuj’s friends and relatives blocked traffic on the road near Trauma Centre. They shouted slogans against Delhi police for late action and did not allow anyone to move.

“Had the accused been arrested within 24 hours, it could have been proved that he was drunk and was driving fast despite knowing he could kill someone. Police deliberately arrested him later,” said Rahul. Anuj’s friends moved from road only after police and senior members of the Chauhan family intervened. “We all are here because Anuj was a very good human being and a very intelligent person,” said another friend Yatharth Patel.

Anuj was pursuing an animation course from Maya Institute of Advanced Cinematics at South Extension. He had journalism background and always participated in interactive political debates. He had also recently joined Salsa classes. “He had varied interests and wanted to prove himself in journalism,” said Yatharth. Anuj was also working on some documentaries. The post mortem was conducted around 11.30 am and the body was handed over to the family. The family took the body to their Ghaziabad house from where they went to Garhmukteshwar for cremation in the evening. His inconsolable father said, “I don’t know what will we do without him.”