Woman cop dies in Ghaziabad after falling off bike trying to avoid stray dog

Ghaziabad: A 25-year-old woman sub-inspector lost her life in a tragic stray dog accident in Ghaziabad in the early hours of Monday. The incident occurred when she lost control of her motorcycle while trying to avoid a stray dog on the road, and was subsequently hit by a car.

The officer, Richa Sachan, had been returning to her rented accommodation in Mahindra Enclave around 1 am after completing her shift at the Kavinagar police station. Police said a homeless dog suddenly darted in front of her Royal Enfield Bullet at an intersection. In an attempt to swerve and avoid it, she lost balance and fell onto the road.

A car travelling directly behind her allegedly ran over her, causing critical head injuries. She was rushed to Sarvodaya Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Sachan’s tragic death has reignited debate around road safety and the growing risks posed by stray dogs, especially in urban areas like Delhi-NCR. Her passing comes amid public protests following the Supreme Court's 11 August directive calling for the removal and rehabilitation of homeless dogs from city streets.

Residents across NCR have long complained about the threat of stray dogs on roads, particularly near busy intersections and residential areas. Such incidents--ranging from road accidents involving stray dogs to rising cases of dog bites--have raised urgent questions about public safety and civic responsibility.

Who is Richa Sachan?

Richa Sachan, originally from a village in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, had joined the police force after clearing her exam in 2023. She had recently completed her training and was known for her dedication and humility.

“She was extremely hardworking and well-liked by her colleagues. It’s a huge loss to lose such a young and promising officer,” said ACP (Kavinagar) Swatantra Kumar Singh.

Her family, still in shock, remembered her as someone who had always dreamt of joining the police. “She visited us just two months ago. We never imagined it would be our last meeting,” said her brother Vikas.

The post-mortem has been completed, and the body was handed over to the family with full state honours. Police have registered a case and are continuing their investigation into the car accident involving the stray dog.

Sachan was the youngest of five siblings. Her untimely death has not only left her family devastated but also sparked fresh concerns over how civic authorities will tackle the growing challenge of stray dogs and road safety in India’s urban centres.